Department for Transport

Cycling: Tyne and Wear

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to improve local cycle infrastructure in cities and towns in Tyne and Wear.

Mr Robert Goodwill: While decisions on funding for cycle infrastructure improvements are primarily the responsibility of the relevant local transport authority, the Department for Transport is supporting cycle improvements in the Newcastle city area through the Cycle City Ambition programme. We are investing £16.3m in local schemes that seek to kick-start a cycling revolution in Newcastle. When combined with local funding contributions, this programme is seeing over £10 per head spent on cycling in Newcastle.   In addition to this, the Department has provided £13k through the Cycle-Rail programme. This has seen the installation of 122 additional cycle parking spaces with related signage and CCTV at Newcastle Central station. Tyne and Wear Integrated Transport Authority are also receiving £3.85m in funding through the Local Sustainable Transport Fund in 2015/16. The "Go Smarter" package will implement measures that encourage uptake of alternative transport options, such as bike, for the school run and commute.

Bus Services: North East

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he plans to take to prevent bus companies reducing bus routes and services in the North East.

Andrew Jones: The bus market outside London is deregulated and decisions regarding the provision of individual bus services is primarily a commercial matter for bus operators.  Local authorities also have powers to subsidise services they consider socially necessary and spend over £300m per year doing so. They are best placed to decide how to support non-commercial bus services, taking into account local priorities.

Regional Airports

Chris Law: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the amount of Regional Air Connectivity funding that will be made available in each of the next three years.

Mr Robert Goodwill: There is currently £20 million annually available for the next three years from the Regional Air Connectivity Fund. The Government has already provided £3.4 million to support both the Dundee to London Stansted route and the Newquay to Gatwick route through public service obligations in 2014/15 and 2015/16 and has committed a further £2million over this and the next three financial years to support these routes. In addition to this the Government undertook earlier this year an initial application stage for airlines to bid for start-up aid funding. The Government will announce after the July Budget how we will take this forward.

High Speed 2 Railway Line

Mrs Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, from which countries the trees required for ecological mitigation planting for High Speed 2 will be sourced.

Mr Robert Goodwill: HS2 Ltd’s aim is for all trees to be UK grown, if possible.　 Until the procurement process has been complete it is not possible to confirm the actual countries from which trees will be sourced.

High Speed 2 Railway Line

Mrs Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, which ancient woodlands in which areas are currently planned for destruction for temporary works associated with High Speed 2.

Mr Robert Goodwill: It is not expected that any ancient woodland areas will be utilised for temporary works. HS2 Ltd are working to ensure that any such impacts on ancient woodland, if identified, are removed as part of the detailed design process.

High Speed 2 Railway Line

Mrs Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what proportion of the trees required for ecological mitigation planting for High Speed 2 have been procured.

Mr Robert Goodwill: Procurement of trees will follow Royal Assent. 　HS2 Ltd are working closely with the Forestry Commission and Growers Associations to ensure that tree procurement and supply is undertaken in accordance to the specification and programme described in the Environmental Statement.

High Speed 2 Railway Line

Mrs Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when the supplementary environmental statement for High Speed 2 will be published; and how long the consultation period for that document will be.

Mr Robert Goodwill: A Supplementary Environmental Statement relating to the High Speed Rail (London – West Midlands) Bill will be deposited in Parliament, and in local authority offices and libraries in affected areas, on 13th July 2015. It will also be published online on gov.uk on that date. The consultation period will run from 13th July until 28th August 2015, a period of 47 days.

Railways: Lancashire

Lilian Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has made of  Network Rail's progress on delivering the Manchester to Preston electrification project; when he expects that project to be completed; and whether that project has advanced to GRIP 3 single option selection.

Andrew Jones: The electrification of Manchester to Preston comprises many projects.　 For example, Network Rail are currently enlarging the Farnworth Tunnel to enable electrification between Manchester to Preston and that project will be completed by October 2015.　 The majority of elements of the other projects have advanced to at least GRIP 3 single option development and only a very small number remain to be finalised. This is expected to be achieved for these elements by the end of August 2015.

Railways: Standards

Lilian Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, on which dates a Minister in his Department has chaired the Performance Delivery Group in the last 12 months; and which Minister chaired each such meeting.

Claire Perry: In the last 12 months, a Minister chaired Performance Delivery Group meetings on 13 October 2014, 10 December 2014, 20 January 2015 and 24 March 2015; and I was that Minister.

Network Rail

Lilian Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the annual salary will be of the incoming Chair of Network Rail.

Mr Patrick McLoughlin: The incoming Chair of Network Rail will receive £500,000 for four days work per week in the first two years of appointment and then £300,000 for a minimum two-day week during the next two years. This is comparable to the pay of the incumbent Chair on a pro-rata basis. This is a contract for services and not a contract of employment. There will be no pension benefit and no bonus. In total the incoming Chair’s pay will be less than his overall salary package at Transport for London.   The role of Chair at Network Rail is a very significant leadership and delivery role. It comes with the challenge of recommending proposals for re-profiling the enhancements programme and taking clear responsibility for delivering it, at a time of strong passenger growth on the operational railway.

Railways: Electrification

Lilian Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he first  held a substantive conversation with the Prime Minister on cost overruns on Network Rail's electrification programme.

Mr Patrick McLoughlin: I regularly meet with the Prime Minister to discuss a wide range of transport issues.

Railways

Lilian Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, on what dates (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department attended meetings of (i) the Midland Main Line Programme Board, (ii) the North of England Programme Board and (iii) the Great Western Programme Board in the last six months; and which Ministers and officials were present at each such meeting.

Mr Patrick McLoughlin: I, Ministers and officials regularly meet to discuss the Midland Main Line, North of England and Great Western Programmes.

Traffic Commissioners: Wales

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make it his policy to appoint a Traffic Commissioner for Wales who is based in Wales.

Andrew Jones: The Traffic Commissioner for Wales is a joint appointment with that of the Traffic Commissioner for the West Midlands. There is an insufficient volume of operators to justify a separate Welsh commissioner. All public inquires for Welsh operators are heard in Wales.

Driving: Licensing

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what date has been appointed for the introduction of the Union flag on all  driving licences issued to drivers in (a) England, (b) Scotland and (c) Wales.

Andrew Jones: Driving licences displaying the Union flag will be issued to drivers in England, Scotland and Wales at the same time. The date for this will be announced in due course.

Department for Communities and Local Government

Urban Areas

Oliver Dowden: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to support high streets.

Mr Marcus Jones: The Government is committed to supporting healthy and vibrant high streets. Since 2010, the Government has given over £18 million to towns – funding and up skilling local teams of people through the Town Team programme, boosting struggling town centres with the High Streets Innovation Fund and launching successful initiatives such as “Love your Local Market”. We have also issued guidance on digital high streets and how businesses can adapt to the latest technology.In addition to the Government providing over £1.4 billion in business rates support, the review of Business Rates is underway for a rates system that properly reflects the structure of a modern economy. We have also introduced parking reforms including a mandatory 10 minute “grace period” at the end of on-street free and paid parking because good and affordable parking provision can play an important role in rejuvenating high streets and town centres.The Great British High Street Awards, now in its second year, is in full swing and is currently open for entries, with the deadline extended to 1 September. Winners across the seven categories (London; City; Town centre; Market town; Coastal community; Local centre; Village) share a cash prize, but more importantly, receive mentoring and support such as free training to develop digital skills for local businesses. We have also introduced a new Rising Star award which will recognise entries that have taken great steps towards making their high street a better place.

Homelessness

Mr Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what funding his Department has made available for the provision of women's sanitary products, razors, shaving foam and other hygiene products for homeless shelters in (a) Preston constituency (b) the rest of Lancashire (c) Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Cheshire and (d) the rest of the UK in each of the last three years.

Mr Marcus Jones: It is for hostels to determine what services are required to meet the needs of their clients, including homeless women. We do not collect this data centrally. Hostels receive funding to deliver their services through a variety of sources, including local authorities.

Planning Permission

Neil Coyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to make viability studies for planning applications more transparent and open to the public and interested stakeholders.

Brandon Lewis: National planning guidance was amended in March 2015 to encourage the speeding up of section 106 negotiations, including promoting greater transparency of viability evidence and of the level of contributions received and how these are used.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Macedonia

Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what support his Department provides to Macedonia.

Mr David Lidington: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office provides political and technical support to all countries in the Western Balkans with the aim of promoting greater stability and security across the region, including by encouraging progress towards EU accession.In Macedonia, we are our supporting ongoing efforts to resolve the current political crisis, including through political support to talks between the political parties and technical support to governance, rule of law, human rights, freedom of expression and public administration reform.

EU Law

Mr David Nuttall: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effects on the implementation of EU law in the UK of removing the words ever closer union from the preamble to the EU Treaties on Article 1 of the Treaty on European Union.

Mr David Lidington: 'Ever Closer Union' has been directly referenced in 23 cases of the Court of Justice of the European Union since 2005. The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), has been clear that ever closer union might be right for some, but it is not right for Britain.

Sudan

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations his Department has made to the government of the Republic of Sudan on the arrest and detention of Rev. Yat Michael and Rev. Peter Yen Reith of the South Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church.

James Duddridge: I refer my Hon Friend to the response the Minister of State, my Rt Hon and noble Friend, the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Baroness Anelay gave on 22 June 2015 (PQHL315), that our Embassy in Khartoum has previously raised these concerning cases with the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Since then, we have maintained close contact with the legal teams working on behalf of the two pastors, and an official from our Embassy in Khartoum attended the latest court hearing on 15 June. We will continue to co-ordinate with other Embassies in Khartoum to ensure the international community is represented at the ongoing legal proceedings.

South Sudan: Armed Conflict

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to all parties involved in the conflict in South Sudan on stopping the forced recruitment of children; and what steps he is taking to support UNMISS in taking preventative action to stop such forced recruitment.

James Duddridge: My Hon Friend, the Member for Rochford and Southend East (James Duddridge MP), the Minister for Africa, raised this issue with the South Sudanese Foreign Minister at a Ministerial roundtable during UNGA in September 2014. We have raised the use of child soldiers both as part of our broader Human Rights engagement with the Government of South Sudan, as well as with the opposition. The UK co-sponsored UNMISS’s latest mandate renewal in May 2015, which re-iterated the mission’s strong focus on the Protection of Civilians, including children. We also fully supported the recruitment of children as a criteria for imposing targeted sanctions under the UN sanctions mechanism that was adopted in March.

USA: Trade Agreements

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal being negotiated by the US.

Mr Hugo Swire: Negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) are ongoing. TPP has the potential to be an important part of the global free trade system, alongside agreements that the UK will be party to, such as the EU-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the EU-Japan FTA. We are following TPP’s progress closely and discuss it regularly with those countries involved. We will undertake a fuller assessment of its implications once the detail of the deal becomes clear.

African Union: Armed Forces

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will hold discussions with the African Union states that will contribute to a combined military force to tackle Boko Haram to ensure that the new force has adequate resources and skilled training.

James Duddridge: We continue to support Nigeria and its neighbours in the fight against Boko Haram including through the Multi National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) they have set up to counter Boko Haram. HMG officials regularly meet with their counterparts from the countries who have contributed to the MNJTF, coordinating closely with the US and France, and we have provided £5 million to support the force.

Attorney General

Crime: Victims

Mr Philip Hollobone: To ask the Attorney General, what steps he is taking to ensure that (a) victim impact statements and (b) compensation claims are made when cases are brought to court in (i) Northamptonshire and (ii) the UK.

Robert Buckland: a) Under the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime (Victims’ Code), victims are entitled to make a Victim Personal Statement (VPS), (sometimes referred to as a ‘victim impact statement’). When the Code came in to force in December 2013 the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) issued operational guidance to support prosecutors in meeting their commitments. More recently, a national cross-agency protocol setting out the working arrangements for the reading of the VPS in criminal proceedings has been implemented (the CPS is a signatory).   b) The CPS has issued legal guidance on the role of the prosecutor to assist the court in the sentencing process by making it aware of all relevant information. This includes drawing the court’s attention to its powers to award compensation and inviting them to make such an order where appropriate.   Northamptonshire is part of the CPS East Midlands Area and the Area applies the national guidance which has been issued both in respect of the VPS and also compensation claims.

Sentencing: Appeals

Mr Alan Mak: To ask the Attorney General, On how many occasions the Law Officers have referred a criminal sentence to the Court of Appeal for review because it was felt to be unduly lenient in the last 12 months.

Robert Buckland: In the year to 31st December 2014, the Law Officers personally considered 469 cases and referred 128 offenders to the Court of Appeal under the unduly lenient sentence scheme. Leave was granted by the Court in 95% of cases which included some of the most serious violent and sexual offences, including murder, rape and sexual assault.

Human Rights Act 1998

Catherine West: To ask the Attorney General, What recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on repeal of the Human Rights Act 1998.

Jeremy Wright: I have regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues about a large number of important issues, including on domestic and international human rights law. By convention, the nature and content of any advice the Law Officers give is not disclosed outside Government.

FIFA: Corruption

Jo Stevens: To ask the Attorney General, What recent discussions he has had with the Serious Fraud Office on alleged corruption within FIFA.

Robert Buckland: I have regular meetings with the Director of the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) to discuss a variety of issues. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government’s policy to provide details of all such meetings. However, the SFO has assured me that it is actively reviewing material relating to the allegations, although it is not possible for me to go into detail nor is it appropriate for me to speculate on the possibility of a UK investigation. The SFO will consider whether there has been offending within our jurisdiction. The SFO also assists its counterparts overseas when appropriate, and by international convention it would not comment on such matters.

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

Postal Services

Stuart Blair Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what plans he has to ensure that the Royal Mail's universal service obligation continues to be met.

Anna Soubry: Government is committed to securing a sustainable universal postal service for the UK. Parliament has given Ofcom, as an independent regulator, the primary statutory duty to secure the provision of a universal postal service - the collection and delivery of letters six days a week throughout the UK at uniform affordable prices - and to have regard for its financial sustainability. Ofcom has introduced a comprehensive monitoring regime which is forward looking, based on the plans of Royal Mail and other postal operators, to track Royal Mail’s performance and potential impacts on the provision of the universal service. Ofcom recently announced a fundamental review of the regulation of Royal Mail. The review will ensure regulation remains appropriate and sufficient to secure the universal postal service.

Postal Services: Aberdeenshire

Stuart Blair Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will make an assessment of Royal Mail's effectiveness in meeting the universal service obligation in Aberdeenshire.

Anna Soubry: Royal Mail as the designated Universal Service Provider for the whole of the UK provides the same service for almost all communities and businesses in Scotland, including in Aberdeenshire, as it does across the UK. The Government has ensured that a strong regulatory framework is in place to protect the universal postal service. The primary statutory duty of Ofcom, the independent regulator for postal services, is to secure the provision of the universal postal service. Specifically, one of the safeguards of the regulatory framework is an effective and ongoing monitoring regime to track Royal Mail’s performance (for example, on quality of service and affordability of universal services, and progress on efficiency).

Disability: Discrimination

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will make an assessment of the effect of the awarding of costs against claimants on the ability and willingness of people to bring claims for disability discrimination; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Boles: There are currently no plans to assess the effect of cost orders on the ability and willingness of claimants to bring employment tribunal claims. Costs orders are made at judicial discretion and are considered as exceptional rather than routine. HM Courts and Tribunals Service record data on the number of costs orders made in employment tribunals but there is no currently held data on the reasons they have been awarded. For the period April 2013 to March 2014 a total of 889 costs orders were awarded. 242 were awarded to the claimant and 647 to the respondent.

Saudi Arabia: Festivals and Special Occasions

Jo Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will take steps to tackle Hajj and Umrah tour and travel operators who break UK law and exploit people seeking to undertake a religious pilgrimage.

Jo Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps he has taken to ensure that law enforcement and other agencies have the necessary expertise to deal with businesses who exploit people booking Hajj and Umrah tours.

Nick Boles: Exploitation of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims by rogue tour operators is addressed both by consumer protection law (notably the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992) and the laws on fraud and deceptive practices. The relevant enforcement agencies are already taking steps to improve their ability to tackle such exploitation.National Trading Standards has made enforcement in this area one of its national priorities and the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau, operated by the City of London Police, is running a Hajj Fraud National Awareness campaign designed to inform consumers and to encourage reporting of crime in this sector. Birmingham’s Trading Standards Department which has taken the lead role in tackling non-compliance, on behalf of National Trading Standards, has seen significant success in its area in both prosecuting rogues and encouraging and ensuring compliance in the legitimate trade. They are working hard to ensure that their enforcement colleagues in other parts of the country benefit from their experience and are better informed of the problems in the sector.Key to that success has been engagement with the Muslim community so that those who are planning a trip are aware of their rights and the legal responsibilities of organisers, and those that suffer at the hands of the rogues are willing to report their experiences to the relevant authorities.

Apprentices: Ethnic Groups

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what target he has for the number of apprenticeship places to be taken by black and ethnic minority applicants; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Boles: The government believes that apprenticeships provide an excellent opportunity for people from all backgrounds. We are committed to 3 million apprenticeship starts during this parliament which will open many more opportunities for apprenticeships for people from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic background.

Apprentices: Ethnic Groups

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what proportion of apprenticeship applications is made by black and ethnic minority applicants.

Nick Boles: Information on apprenticeship applications made via the Apprenticeship vacancy online system by ethnicity of the applicant is published online: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/432299/ApprenticeshipVacancyReportNumberofapplicationsbyAgeGenderEthnicityorSSAorProgrammeLevelJun15.xls While not all applications for apprenticeships are submitted via the Apprenticeship vacancy online system, data is only available for applications submitted in this way.

Apprentices

Jo Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many apprentices who started their apprenticeships since 2010 were already employed staff converted to apprenticeship status; and what the (a) age, (b) gender and (c) constituency was of each such person.

Nick Boles: Details on entry routes onto Apprenticeships can be found in the Apprenticeships Evaluation: Learners survey report online. The survey comprised a representative sample of 5,000 apprentices. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/387662/bis-14-1208-Apprenticeships-Evaluation-Learners-December-2014.pdf In 2013/14, two thirds (64%) of apprentices worked for their employer before starting their apprenticeship. This has decreased since 2012/13 when it was 68%. In 2013/14, nine out of ten (91%) apprentices aged 25+ worked for their employer before starting the apprenticeship, compared with 29% of apprentices aged 16-18 and 60% for those aged 19-24. Women are more likely to be internal recruits (72%) than men (54%). Further breakdowns can be found on page 23 of the above report. This information is not included in our routine data collection and hence data is not available since 2010. Information is not available for entry routes by constituency.

Further Education: Finance

Mr David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what his plans are for funding further education institutions.

Mr David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the funding requirements of the further education sector.

Mr David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps he plans to take to ensure the viability of existing further education colleges.

Mr David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the relationship between his Department's funding of further education colleges and (a) staff numbers and (b) courses offered at those colleges.

Mr David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the relationship between his Department's funding of further education colleges and how the skills needs of people using those colleges are met; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Boles: The Department plans to continue to provide funding for further education for adults. Across all our grant, loan and capital support for adult further education, we are making available over £3bn in 2015-16. For apprenticeships, Government and employers will continue to jointly invest in the training, reflecting the economic benefits that apprenticeships bring. For older learners studying at advanced level (age 24 and upwards studying at level 3) our policy is to provide HE-style loans to fund tuition fees to colleges. We have made £498m of provision available in 2015-16. For adult further education, our policy is to pay grant to providers based on the numbers of learners they teach and characteristics of those learners. There are also specialist funds to support joint projects with employers to grow skills in strategic areas of the economy; to support prisoner education; and for community learning. We also make capital funding available to colleges. In 2015-16 £410m of capital funding is available, of which £330m is distributed according to the requirements of Local Enterprise Partnerships. Finally, our policy is to provide funding to support the learner to access the system and get the most from it.   Apprenticeships are our priority for skills and colleges have been encouraged to expand their apprenticeship offer. As government funding has reduced, colleges have responded well by looking at generating other income streams and creating sustainable business models for the future. This entrepreneurial approach will help ensure sustainable future business models with less reliance on government funding.   The financial health of further education colleges is under constant review by the Skills Funding Agency based on self-assessment information from colleges and the publication of college accounts. Colleges with inadequate financial health are subject to intervention led by the FE Commissioner.   Our funding mechanism is designed to allow providers the freedoms and flexibilities to decide how best to use their allocation to respond to local learner and employer demand. As autonomous organisations it is up to colleges to manage their own budgets including staffing numbers and what provision to offer.   Colleges are becoming increasingly responsive to employer and learner need and employers are now taking the lead in apprenticeship design so that apprenticeship training, be that in the workplace or at college, equips apprentices with the skills that employers need. We believe that our funding for adult skills through apprenticeship and further education provision can have a positive impact on learners, employers and the UK economy.

Students: Work Experience

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what comparative assessment he has made of the amount charged by each university to students for years on industrial placement; and what guidance his Department provides to universities on the level of such charging.

Joseph Johnson: The Government encourages provision and uptake of sandwich courses and placements and acknowledges their benefits to students, businesses and universities.   A review of maximum fees for students undertaking sandwich placement years was carried out in 2012. Since 2014/15, the maximum fees that institutions with access agreements can charge for sandwich years has been set at £1,800, 20% of the maximum £9,000 full-time fee. Guidance for universities on maximum fees for sandwich work placement years is provided on the Student Finance England practitioners’ website.   Universities are independent, autonomous bodies and are free to set sandwich year fees at an appropriate level for their provision within this cap.

Students: Work Experience

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the effect of university charges for industrial placement years on take-up of sandwich courses.

Joseph Johnson: The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) collects and publishes data on students enrolled at UK Higher Education Institutions. Statistics on participation by students enrolled on sandwich courses in the five most recent academic years for which information is available are provided in the table.   Statistics for the academic year 2014/15 will be available from HESA from January 2016.   Full-time first degree enrolments on sandwich courses UK Higher Education Institutions Academic years 2009/10 to 2013/14 Count of students2009/102010/112011/122012/132013/14Enrolled1  on sandwich2 courses 113,795 116,785125,525126,710142,395Total enrolled1  on full-time first degrees 1,208,6251,250,2551,312,1151,312,3351,334,245 Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Student Record   Notes: 1 Enrolments include students across all years of study 2 Sandwich enrolments include industrial placements and periods of study abroad

Regional Growth Fund

Mr Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what proportion of funds from withdrawn awards under each round of the regional growth fund (RGF) (a) have been recycled into the RGF, (b) have been recycled into other programmes or budgets of his Department, (c) have been returned to HM Treasury and (d) have been reallocated elsewhere.

Anna Soubry: Unused funds from withdrawn awards have generally been used to increase the funding for later rounds of the Regional Growth Fund (RGF) or to fund exceptional RGF awards. It is not possible to track the precise re-allocation of funding released specifically from withdrawn awards under each round.

Regional Growth Fund

Mr Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how much has been returned to HM Treasury from the regional growth fund programme in each financial year of that fund's operation.

Anna Soubry: Unused funds from successive Regional Growth Fund (RGF) rounds have generally been used to increase the funding for later rounds of the RGF and to fund exceptional RGF awards. No funding was returned to HM Treasury in the financial years 2011/12 to 2014/15. Decisions on unused funds for the current and future financial years will be taken as part of the spending review process.

Regional Growth Fund

Mr Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many successful bids to each bidding round of the regional growth fund have been withdrawn to date.

Anna Soubry: A total of 138 projects and programmes from Regional Growth Fund rounds 1 to 6 are no longer proceeding. The breakdown by round is below:   Round 1 – 19   Round 2 – 42   Round 3 – 31   Round 4 – 33   Round 5 – 8   Round 6 – 4   eRGF – 1

Nuclear Power: Apprentices

Sue Hayman: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps he is taking to increase the number of apprenticeships in the nuclear industry.

Nick Boles: We are committed to 3 million apprenticeship starts during this parliament. We are developing a comprehensive plan for growth and are fully committed to finding more ways to encourage employers, colleges and schools to work together to increase the number of apprenticeships for our young people.   We are implementing reforms that will give greater control of apprenticeships to employers so that they meet the skills needs of a wide range of businesses and enable them to offer more opportunities. Over 1200 employers are already involved in designing new apprenticeship standards including in the nuclear sector – the Nuclear Trailblazer has developed and published two new apprenticeship standards for Nuclear Health Physics Monitor and Nuclear Welding Inspection Technician - with more in development.

Nuclear Power: Training

Sue Hayman: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what recent progress has been made on the national nuclear college.

Nick Boles: A business plan and capital case for a National College for Nuclear are being put together by a team including Lakes College, Bridgwater College, EDF, Sellafield, University of Bristol and University of Cumbria.   They are expected to submit their proposal to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills for assessment by 16 July.

Research Councils

Mr Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, when he expects the independent review of the Research Councils led by Sir Paul Nurse to be published; and what deadlines and timescales his Department has set for that process.

Joseph Johnson: The Government asked Sir Paul Nurse to examine how Research Councils can evolve to support research in the most effective ways. Sir Paul has kept me updated with progress, and I am expecting to receive his report after the summer.

Industrial Strategy Council

Mr Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, on what dates the Industrial Strategy Council has met in the last year.

Anna Soubry: The Industrial Strategy Council met on 19 May 2014 and on 10 December 2014. It also met on 14 May 2013 and 27 November 2013. My Rt hon Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills will be inviting leaders and members of the Industrial Strategy Council to discuss our industrial approach at the end of July 2015.

Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, when he last discussed the proposed Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership with the European Commission.

Anna Soubry: My noble Friend Lord Maude of Horsham, on behalf my Rt hon Friend the Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills, visited Brussels from 29-30 June to meet Trade Commissioner Malmstrom and a number of MEPs actively involved in trade discussions.

Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, when he last discussed the proposed Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership with the US government and when he next plans to do so.

Anna Soubry: My noble Friend Lord Maude of Horsham, acting on behalf of my Rt hon Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, was in Washington from 24-25 June for talks on the EU-US Free Trade Agreement, also known as the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), with Ambassador Mike Froman (US Trade Representative), among others.

Industry: Reform

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what plans he has for reform of industrial sector strategies; and if he will make a statement.

Anna Soubry: My Rt hon Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills will work closely with industry and businesses to understand their needs and what more the Government can do to retain the UK’s competitive position within the global economy. The Secretary of State will be inviting industry leaders to discuss industrial approach at the end of July 2015.

Department for International Development

Yemen

Edward Argar: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps the Government is taking to improve the humanitarian situation in Yemen.

Mr Desmond Swayne: The UK is deeply concerned about the dire humanitarian situation in Yemen. According to the United Nations, 21 million Yemenis (80% of the population) are now in need of humanitarian assistance. Of those, 6 million are facing severe food shortages; over 9 million have lost access to water; and 1 million have been displaced.The UK is working closely with the United Nations and other partners to restore vital commercial fuel and food imports to Yemen; increase humanitarian access to affected communities through lobbying for a further humanitarian pause; and increase the level of funding towards humanitarian assistance. The UK was the first country to deploy humanitarian experts to Riyadh to offer practical advice to Saudi and Yemeni authorities on facilitating access for humanitarian supplies, resuming commercial shipping, and improving systems for humanitarian clearances. On 19 June, the International Development Secretary announced an additional £40 million for the humanitarian response in Yemen, bringing the total UK contribution to £55 million for 2015. Our contribution is providing life-saving assistance (e.g. medical supplies, water, food and emergency shelter) to those affected by the conflict and is treating severe acute malnutrition.

Developing Countries: Diseases

Patrick Grady: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment her Department has made of the effect of the patenting of new drugs on their price and availability to treat neglected tropical diseases overseas.

Grant Shapps: Most drugs required to treat Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are donated free of charge by pharmaceutical companies. However, in some cases the drugs need to be purchased. In these cases we work to secure good value for money in our procurement and also encourage flexible approaches to increase availability, such as licensing and technology transfer partnerships with low-cost, high-quality generic manufacturers.  DFID also funds research into new NTD treatments through Product Development Partnerships (PDPs). PDPs use patents flexibly to ensure products are available at lowest possible cost. This includes negotiating royalty-free access to patented products and developing products as ‘open source’ so that anyone can use them, with requirements for distribution at the lowest possible cost. PDPs can also patent new products at an early stage and then use the patent to attract partners to help develop the products and make them available at the lowest possible cost.

HM Treasury

Pensions: Advisory Services

Stephen Timms: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people and what proportion of those eligible to take advantage of the pensions flexibilities have received (a) face-to-face and (b) telephone advice through Pension Wise.

Stephen Timms: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people have received (a) face to face and (b) telephone advice through Pension Wise since that service opened; and what those numbers are as proportions of all people eligible to take advantage of new pension flexibilities.

Harriett Baldwin: The government committed to providing free, impartial guidance through Pension Wise, to help people make informed and confident decisions about how they use their defined contribution pension savings in retirement. It is available online, via the telephone and face to face. As of 6 April – the date on which the new pension flexibilities commenced – Pension Wise had handled more than 3,600 calls since the opening of the contact centre in late March. Nearly 1400 people had booked a telephone guidance appointment with the Pensions Advisory Service, while nearly 380 people had booked a face to face appointment with Citizens Advice. Citizens Advice does not provide Pension Wise guidance over the phone.   Information on Pension Wise service usage since 6 April will be published in due course.   Pension Wise recommends that users take their time to prepare and gather relevant information before their guidance session, if they have not already done so by the time of booking their appointment; this can normally take around 2 weeks. The government estimates that, on average, face to face appointments take place within 9 days of booking.

Pensions: Fraud

Stephen Timms: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the number of people who have been victims of fraud and mis-selling related to the new pensions flexibilities.

Stephen Timms: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he has taken to monitor the prevalence of fraud related to the new pensions freedoms.

Harriett Baldwin: I refer the hon member to my answer given on 11 June to PQ 2227.   More widely, the Government will be launching a consultation this month to strengthen people’s rights to access their pensions flexibly. The consultation will look at ways of making the process for transferring pensions from one scheme to another quicker and smoother and removing any unjustifiable barriers to doing so.

Working Tax Credit: Liverpool

Mrs Louise Ellman: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many recipients of working tax credit there are in (a) Liverpool and (b) Liverpool Riverside constituency.

Mrs Louise Ellman: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many recipients of child tax credit there are in (a) Liverpool and (b) Liverpool Riverside constituency.

Damian Hinds: Information detailing the number of recipient families of (a) Working Tax Credits and (b) Child Tax Credits for the local authority of Liverpool and the parliamentary constituency of Liverpool Riverside can be found at the following location:  gov.uk/government/collections/personal-tax-credits-statistics.

Pensions: Advisory Services

Stephen Timms: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to (a) review the effectiveness of the Pension Wise service and (b) publish that review.

Harriett Baldwin: The government is closely monitoring the operation and effectiveness of the Pension Wise service. This ongoing monitoring is part of a wider programme of evaluation that the government is undertaking to ensure that Pension Wise is working effectively, delivers value for money, and meets consumer needs.

Public Sector Debt

Dr Paul Monaghan: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, on what basis the national debt is calculated.

Harriett Baldwin: The monthly Public Sector Finances bulletin is published jointly by the independent Office for National Statistics and HM Treasury. The Public Sector Finances statistical release provides detail on how debt is calculated in Table 8A for Central Government and subsequent tables for the wider Public Sector as a whole.

Revenue and Customs: Telephone Services

Ian C. Lucas: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what average length of time is taken for a call to an HM Revenue and Customs helpline from initial answer to conclusion of inquiry.

Mr David Gauke: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) does not have this information and it could only be made available at disproportionate cost.

Interest Rate Swap Transactions

Frank Field: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the FCA Redress Scheme in offering adequate compensation to small businesses affected by bank misconduct.

Harriett Baldwin: The Government has been very clear that the mis-selling of financial products to unsophisticated businesses is wrong and it is important that those businesses that have been affected are compensated. This is why the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) established a scheme which required banks, with an independent reviewer, to identify where IRHPs had been mis-sold and to establish a procedure for businesses to obtain appropriate redress. The FCA’s redress scheme has benefitted the majority of businesses. To date, 17,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have been through the FCA redress scheme. Of these, 12,000 SMEs have accepted their offer, amounting to over £1.9 billion in payouts. For those businesses which are unhappy with the way in which their case has been handled, there are routes of recourse available to them. It is worth noting that the Treasury Select Committee’s report into SME lending, published on 10 March, recommended that the FCA collect the information necessary to establish whether there are systemic failures in the redress scheme. The FCA is carefully considering this recommendation.

Revenue and Customs: Wales

Ian C. Lucas: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what HM Revenue and Customs sites there are in Wales; and how many people are employed at each such site.

Mr David Gauke: There are currently seven HMRC locations in Wales: Cardiff, Carmarthen, Colwyn Bay, Merthyr Tydfil, Porthmadog, Swansea, and Wrexham. The table below shows the numbers of staff based at each of these locations at 30 June 2015.   Cardiff2811Carmarthen15Colwyn Bay9Merthyr Tydfil10Porthmadog20Swansea235Wrexham369   Carmarthen, Colwyn Bay and Merthyr Tydfil will close in 2015 as part of HMRC’s future location plans. HMRC is working closely with the staff based at these offices to identify redeployment options.

Revenue and Customs: Telephone Services

Ian C. Lucas: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what average length of time is taken to provide an initial answer to callers to an HM Revenue and Customs helpline.

Mr David Gauke: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) handles around 50 million telephone calls annually and regularly publishes general performance reports on GOV.UK.

Motor Vehicles: Insurance

Sir David Amess: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of trends in competition and switching rates in the private motor insurance market in each year since 2010; and if he will make a statement.

Sir David Amess: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with the Financial Conduct Authority on the cost to consumers of private motor insurance auto-renewals.

Sir David Amess: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with the Financial Conduct Authority on the effect of auto-renewals on competition in the private motor insurance market.

Sir David Amess: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of clearer renewal notices on the competitiveness of the private motor insurance market; and whether he has had discussions with insurance companies on that matter.

Sir David Amess: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will estimate the average savings available from switching car insurance provider rather than being auto-renewed for (a) all consumers, (b) consumers aged over 65 and (c) consumers without internet access.

Sir David Amess: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will estimate the average savings available to customers by switching car insurance provider rather than being auto-renewed in (a) the UK, (b) South East England and (c) Southend West constituency.

Harriett Baldwin: This is a matter for the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), who are operationally independent from Government.   The question has been passed on to the FCA. The FCA will reply directly to the honourable member by letter. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Welfare Tax Credits

Ian Lavery: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment HM Revenue and Customs has made of the effect on levels of tax credits compliance of the redeployment of staff of that department to handle tax credits renewal calls.

Damian Hinds: No tax credit compliance staff have been redeployed to handle tax credit renewal phone calls.

Revenue and Customs: Telephone Services

Ian C. Lucas: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what his policy is on charging for calls to HM Revenue and Customs helplines.

Mr David Gauke: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and its supplier, Kcom, do not charge customer for calls to its historic 0845 or current 03000 numbers.

Railways: Brighton

Caroline Lucas: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what feasibility work the Government has undertaken on the establishment of a Brighton Mainline 2; if he will make it his policy to allocate spending for such a line under the Budget in July 2015; and if he will make a statement.

Greg Hands: The government notes the support this proposal has received, and is taking these proposals seriously.   The government announced at Budget earlier this year that funding would be provided for a further study into re-opening the Lewes-Uckfield line.   The Chancellor will set out his Budget next week.

Revenue and Customs: Telephone Services

Ian C. Lucas: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the geographical location is of HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) employees and contractors used to staff HMRC helplines.

Mr David Gauke: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has over 500 helplines which are based in locations throughout the United Kingdom.   Contact details can be found on GOV.UK.

Fuels: Excise Duties

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will take account of the differential in prices of diesel in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland when setting future fuel duty levels.

Damian Hinds: Like all taxes, fuel duty is kept under review with its effects in a number of areas considered when setting the duty rate.

Banks: Greece

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will estimate how many people have deposits with Greek-owned banks in the UK that are not covered by the bank deposit protection limit; and how many of those people are UK citizens.

Harriett Baldwin: I refer the hon Member to the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s oral statement to the House on 29 June 2015.

Ministry of Justice

Open Prisons

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what offences were committed by prisoners serving sentences in open prisons on the most recent period for which information is available.

Andrew Selous: Prisoners may be categorised and allocated to the open prison estate towards the end of their sentence and as a preparation for release from custody. Public protection is paramount, only those prisoners who are assessed as having reduced their risks of escape or abscond and risk of harm to the public and who are judged to be trustworthy in conditions of very low security will be allocated to open prison. Progression to open prison is never automatic, and prisoners must generally be within two years of release before they can be considered for allocation to an open prison. The table attached shows the offence for which prisoners (held in open conditions in March 2015) were sentenced.  March 2015Violence against the person1,099Sexual offences341Robbery358Burglary255Drug offences1,126Motoring offences35Other offences433Offence not recorded2All4,055  The figures in these tables have been drawn from administrative IT systems which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing. Due to continuing problems with data quality, reporting on the populations in the 'Burglary' and 'Theft and Handling' offence groups has been disrupted between 1 July and 31 December 2014. This is because, for statistical purposes only, some prisoners have been mis-allocated between these two offence groups. The reporting of these figures has therefore been postponed pending further investigation.  Caveats(1) Based on predominant function of the prison and therefore excludes prisoners held in open wings of closed establishments.

Prisoners

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the longest period of time is that a serving prisoner can request to be absent from prison for any reason.

Andrew Selous: All applications for temporary release are now considered under the revised regime that we have introduced over the past 18 months, and which requires all resettlement ROTL to be identified in sentence planning as well as bringing improvements in risk assessment, monitoring and consistency of practice across all prisons. Prisoners may apply for release on temporary licence (ROTL) only for activities that have been identified as in line with their agreed, individual sentence or resettlement plans; or in exceptionally compelling circumstances, such as a visit to a dying close relative. The duration is limited to what is required to conduct the agreed activity and the majority of releases are measured in hours. The maximum duration for the various types of release on temporary licence is set out in national guidance. There is provision for offenders selected for the national Community Service Volunteers (CSV) scheme special programme for offenders to be released for up to 4 weeks. The offender must be in or suitable for open conditions and be within three months of their release date. These placements are only granted under strict conditions, and as such, very rarely. In addition to applying all the usual risk and suitability assessments, before authorizing release, the governor must determine that the resettlement benefits outweigh the impact on public confidence of that particular offender being on temporary release for a lengthy period. CSV placements are governed by a memorandum of understanding between prison governor, offender manager, offender and the CSV placement organiser with specific monitoring and review arrangements.

Prisoners: Repatriation

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what progress has been made on compulsory prisoner transfers to non-EU countries; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Shailesh Vara: The UK has concluded compulsory transfer agreements with Nigeria and with Albania. The first prisoners have been transferred under these arrangements and we expect to see a slow build up in the numbers transferred as the processes are embedded in both countries. Compulsory transfer processes are complex, involving the courts in both countries, and requiring the consent of the recipient country on a case-by-case basis. A MoU providing for compulsory transfer to Somaliland is also in place. We are currently negotiating a compulsory PTA with Ghana and exploring opportunities for compulsory PTAs with other countries where prison standards meet the minimum international requirements. Neither I nor the Secretary of State plan to make a statement on this matter.

Courts: Costs

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the average cost is of an either way offence case dealt with at the (a) Crown Court and (b) magistrates' court where a guilty plea was entered.

Mike Penning: There are a number of different ways costs of cases can be estimated, depending on how indirect costs are apportioned, resulting in range of cost estimates for these cases. The latest period for which data is available is 2012-13 (up-rated to 2014-15 prices). The costs include judiciary, staff, estates and overhead costs.a) A guilty plea entered on the day of a trial at the Crown court would result in a cracked trial. The cost of a cracked trial in the Crown court is estimated to be between £1,200 and £2,000 (to the nearest £100).b) The cost of an either way guilty plea entered at the Magistrates Court is estimated to be between £210 and £270 (to the nearest £10).HM Courts & Tribunals Service does not record this data on a routine basis. The 2012-13 data was extracted as part of the implementation work on the Criminal Court Charge. A review of the Criminal Court Charge will be completed later in 2015-16 and we anticipate more up to date data will be collected and made available, if requested, at that point.

Prisons

Mr David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the average daily out-of-cell time was for prisoners in each prison in each of the last 10 years.

Mr David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many out-of-cell hours offenders are provided with at each prison establishment that operates planned restricted regimes.

Andrew Selous: Time out of cell for prisoners varies across the prison estate and the information requested is not held centrally. The amount of time prisoners are allowed to spend outside their cells to engage in activities (other than work, education, treatment interventions, recovery focused services or religious services), or to associate together, will vary from one establishment to another, depending on the availability of constructive activities and supervisory staff. All prisons are required to have systems in place to monitor regimes and ensure that they are safe, decent, secure, resilient and sustainable.

Prison Governors

Mr David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how long each prison governor at each prison has been in post.

Andrew Selous: The length of time for which the governing governor of each public sector prison establishment had been in their current post on 31 March 2015 is set out below. Governor Tenure as at 31 March 2015  Establishment NameYearsAskham Grange2.3Aylesbury5.0Bedford3.2Belmarsh0.6Blantyre House0.4Brinsford1.2Bristol3.2Brixton0.2Buckley Hall1.4Bullingdon0.1Bure4.4Cardiff1.4Channings Wood0.7Chelmsford1.0Coldingley1.8Cookham Wood1.4Dartmoor0.3Deerbolt3.2Dover0.9Downview1.4Drake Hall0.4Durham3.7East Sutton Park0.4Eastwood Park3.1Elmley1.8Erlestoke0.3Exeter4.0Featherstone0.1Feltham2.0Ford1.0Foston Hall1.5Frankland0.5Full Sutton0.5Garth2.1Gartree0.2Glen Parva2.5Grendon3.3Guys Marsh0.3Haslar0.3Hatfield1.4Haverigg2.2Hewell0.8High Down2.2Highpoint1.5Hindley0.4Hollesley Bay7.0Holloway4.5Holme House3.2Hull0.2Humber0.2Huntercombe0.4Isis3.5Isle of Wight2.2Kennet2.2Kirkham2.2Kirklevington Grange3.2Lancaster Farms2.1Leeds1.5Leicester1.2Lewes0.3Leyhill2.0Lincoln2.5Lindholme0.1Littlehey3.3Liverpool0.5Long Lartin1.2Low Newton5.4Maidstone1.8Manchester0.5Moorland0.1Morton Hall3.2New Hall2.9North Sea Camp1.2Norwich4.3Nottingham0.2Onley0.9Pentonville1.4Portland1.0Preston2.6Ranby1.4Risley3.2Rochester3.3Send0.2Stafford0.2Standford Hill1.6Stocken2.6Stoke Heath5.6Styal3.2Sudbury0.9Swaleside1.8Swansea1.7Swinfen Hall3.1The Mount3.2The Verne1.0Thorn Cross1.3Usk/Prescoed1.1Wakefield1.1Wandsworth3.2Warren Hill4.2Wayland2.8Wealstun3.4Werrington0.3Wetherby0.1Whatton6.8Whitemoor1.6Winchester2.5Woodhill1.0Wormwood Scrubs1.4Wymott0.5National Average1.9This information is based on individuals’ career records as recorded on NOMS’ workforce data systems. Those career records have not been verified.

Pre-sentence Reports

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the average cost to the public purse is of preparing a (a) full pre-sentence report and (b) fast delivery report in magistrates' courts, including the time spent by probation staff in court whilst the report is being delivered and considered.

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will estimate the cost to the public purse of the production of pre-sentence reports for courts in each of the last three years.

Andrew Selous: The most recently available information on the unit costs of probation relates to 2012/13 and is published on the Gov.uk website at the following web location: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/prison-and-probation-trusts-performance-statistics-201213 The published unit costs of pre-sentence reports are calculated by dividing the fully-apportioned cost to NOMS by the volumes of the three separate types of report: Standard Delivery Report (SDR), Fast Delivery Report (FDR) and oral report. They exclude the time spent by probation staff in court whilst the report is being delivered and considered, as this cannot be separately identified. The unit costs of SDRs and FDRs for 2012-13 are as follows: SDR: £430FDR: £150 The publication of probation trust unit costs was suspended whilst the probation service restructured, but work is underway to develop unit costs for the National Probation Service and we will seek to publish this information once it is sufficiently robust.

Prisons: Discipline

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, (a) how many additional days were added to prisoners' sentences and (b) in what proportion of adjudications days were added in (i) 2000, (ii) 2010 and (iii) the latest year for which information is held; and for what reasons the days were so added in each such year.

Andrew Selous: Discipline procedures are central to the maintenance of a safe custodial environment. Since 2003 Independent Adjudicators, who are District Judges or Deputy District Judges hear those cases where a serious breach of the Prison and YOI Rules has occurred, and which might result in the prisoner receiving a punishment of additional days to their time spent in custody if found guilty. The tables below provide the number of adjudications where additional days were given, the percentage of those against the total adjudications and the reasons why those additional days were given, in 2000, 2010 and 2014.  Tables 1 – 3: Number of incidences punished by additional days awarded and number of days of additional days by incidence group, 2000, 2010 and 2014, England and Wales Table 1  NumberViolenceEscape or abscondDisobedience or disrespectWilful damageUnauthorised transactions or possessionOther incidencesAdjudications where additional days were given(1)63,918(36% of total adjudications)10,62071721,5632,89622,5065,616   Number of days for which additional days were given(2)888,250175,5449,832288,64557,148281,71775,364Table 2   NumberViolenceEscape or abscondDisobedience or disrespectWilful damageUnauthorised transactions or possessionOther incidencesNumber of awards where additional days were given(1)9,006913221,3814405,809441(5% of total adjudications)  Number of days for which additional days were given(2)172,26017,56241925,0939,003111,2068,977Table 3 IncidenceNumberViolenceEscape or abscondDisobedience or disrespectWilful damageUnauthorised transactions or possessionOther incidencesNumber of awards where additional days were given(1)10,1191,37741,4284656,119726(6% of total adjudications)  Number of days for which additional days were given(2)165,18522,6817720,1458,172102,57011,540   Notes:'-' Data is not applicable. 1 - The number of incidents may be committed at one establishment and punished at another.2 - Figures correspond to the sum of the number of days given for each punishment received after an incident of misbehaviour. If an offender receives 2 punishments as a result of an assault against a prison officer and each punishment attracts 20 days, then the offender will have received a total of 40 additional days.

Life Imprisonment

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many and what proportion of life-sentenced prisoners were (a) recommended or (b) not recommended for transfer to an open prison by their respective parole board in each of the last five years.

Andrew Selous: Outcomes of completed oral hearings conducted by the Parole Board are published in the latest Parole Board Annual Report available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/329169/parole-board-annual-report-2013-14.pdf These figures are reproduced below. Life sentenced prisonersYearOral hearing outcomeNegativeOpenRelease2009/104553111292010/113385792632011/123004633112012/132414813972013/14313469379 This table provides outcomes only in respect of oral hearings. The Parole Board also takes decisions on the papers and without convening oral hearings. One life sentence prisoner received a recommendation for open conditions following a paper review in 2010/11. It is not possible to say how many were not recommended for transfer as negative outcomes include offenders who were already in open conditions and were refused release. Information on the location of a prisoner at the time of a review is not held centrally. These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing. The categorisation and allocation of an offender to an open prison is never an automatic progression, with public protection the paramount consideration in the decision-making process. Only those prisoners whose risks are assessed as manageable in conditions of low security will be allocated to an open prison. Last year, we took decisive action to protect the public by changing the policy by which prisoners may be transferred to open conditions. As a result of a comprehensive review, we made major changes to tighten the eligibility for open prisons. Prisoners may no longer be transferred to open conditions or allowed out on temporary release if they have previously absconded, escaped, attempted to escape, or if they have failed to return or have re-offended whilst released on temporary licence, unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Offenders: West Yorkshire

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many offenders on licence in West Yorkshire have travelled abroad unsupervised in each of the last three years.

Andrew Selous: Offenders who are released on licence are subject to a restriction which means they are not permitted to travel outside the UK during their licence period, unless they have express permission from their supervising officer. Permission is granted only in exceptional circumstances, and on a temporary basis, as defined by the criteria contained in Probation Instruction 09/15, “Licence Conditions and Temporary Travel Abroad”. Information on the number of offenders who have been given permission to travel abroad on licence is not collated electronically. To provide this information would incur disproportionate costs.

Magistrates' Courts

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the rate of utilisation was of each magistrates' court in the latest year for which figures are available.

Mr Shailesh Vara: It has not been possible to answer this question in the time allowed. Utilisation data for magistrates’ courts is undergoing consistency checks. In order to provide the most current data available, I will write to the honourable member shortly.

Reoffenders

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many people who have served an indeterminate sentence for public protection have re-offended after release; and (a) how many and (b) which offences have been committed by such re-offenders in each of the last five years.

Andrew Selous: The independent Parole Board will direct the release of a prisoner serving a sentence of Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) only where it assesses that it is no longer necessary on the grounds of public protection for the prisoner to be detained in custody. Data on offenders released on IPP licences who have committed offences are not held centrally in a readily accessible format. To obtain these data would exceed cost limits.

Prisoners: Females

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the offences and length of time served in prison are of each of the 20 longest serving female prisoners.

Caroline Dinenage: Of the twenty female prisoners who had served the longest amount of time in custody, as of 31 March 2015, twelve had served between 14 and 18 years and eight had served 18 years or more. All bar two of those female offenders were imprisoned for violent offences against the person.

Prisoners: Radicalism

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, in respect of which prisons he has received recent reports on the religious radicalisation of prisoners.

Andrew Selous: NOMS requires its staff to report on a wide range of extremist behaviours through well-established intelligence reporting systems. This process identifies a number of prisoners, who from the behaviour they exhibit in custody, appear to hold extremist views or who may be vulnerable to radicalisation, religious or otherwise. NOMS assesses that a significant proportion of those exhibiting extremist behaviours do so to disguise or excuse anti-social or criminal gang behaviours or to attempt to manipulate the prison system. Reporting of extremist behaviour is received from a range of prisons across the custodial estate. NOMS identifies and manages extremist behaviour where it is reported and has a range of interventions available to tackle and disrupt such behaviour, whether genuine or apparent, and an established multi-agency case management approach working with partners to deal with those prisoners of greatest concern.

Sentencing

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many (a) males and (b) females received each sentencing outcome for each type of offence in each police force area in the most recent year for which information is available; and what the average custodial sentence length was for each gender for each offence type in each police force area.

Andrew Selous: Sentencing is a matter for our independent courts, taking into account all the facts of each case. Whilst crime is falling, offenders committing serious offences are more likely to go to prison and for longer. The number of male offenders sentenced at all courts, by police force area, sentence outcome and offence group, in England and Wales, in 2014, can be found in Table 1. The number of female offenders sentenced at all courts, by police force area, sentence outcome and offence group, in England and Wales, in 2014, can be found in Table 2. Average custodial sentence length (months) for men sentenced to custody by police force area and offence group, England and Wales, 2014 can be found in Table 3. Average custodial sentence length (months) for women sentenced to custody by police force area and offence group, England and Wales, 2014 can be found in Table 4.



Male offenders sentenced - England and Wales, 2014
(Excel SpreadSheet, 115.5 KB)

Sentencing

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the average length of a sentence handed down was for each offence in (a) Crown and (b) magistrates' courts for (i) females and (ii) males in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Andrew Selous: Sentencing is a matter for our independent courts, taking into account all the facts of each case. Whilst crime is falling, offenders committing serious offences are more likely to go to prison and for longer. The average custodial sentence length handed down for each offence in magistrates’ courts and at the Crown Court, by gender, in England and Wales, in 2014, is available on the Ministry of Justice website at the following link:-https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/criminal-justice-system-statistics-quarterly-december-2014 . For magistrates’ court data select the “Magistrates’ court data tool” and for Crown Court data select the “Crown court data tool”.

Employment Tribunals Service: Fees and Charges

Justin Madders: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, which bodies his Department consulted on the terms of reference for the review of the employment tribunal fees regime.

Mr Shailesh Vara: I have been asked to reply as responsibility for this falls within the Ministry of Justice's remit. This is an internal Government review and we have not asked for submissions from the public.

Courts

Mr Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the policy is of HM Courts and Tribunals Service on sending reminders by (a) text message and (b) email to defendants reminding them of the time and date of (i) court hearings and (ii) bail conditions.

Mr Shailesh Vara: Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) is committed to ensuring all parties to court proceedings are notified of any future hearing dates and where relevant bail conditions. Our current practice is when parties are present in court the information is provided orally and in written form. When parties are not present in court, HMCTS will write informing parties of the new hearing date. Telephone contact is also used. Currently Criminal Courts do not use text or email as the primary means of passing information to parties. We are building a justice system which is simpler, swifter and more efficient. By using modern technology we can meet the needs of everyone who uses our services now and in the future. For the criminal courts this will mean moving away from archaic IT systems to digitally enabled working where information is exchanged digitally with defendants and other court parties.

Social Security Benefits: Appeals

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the average time taken to process an appeal against a decision relating to (a) a sanction relating to jobseeker's allowance or employment support allowance, (b) a Fit for Work assessment and (c) eligibility for personal independence payment was in each of the last three years.

Mr Shailesh Vara: The First-tier Tribunal (Social Security and Child Support), administered by HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS), hears appeals against Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) decisions on a range of benefits including jobseekers allowance, employment support allowance and personal independence payment. HMCTS does not hold the specific information requested as it does not record data specifically relating to appeals against sanctions imposed by DWP relating to jobseeker’s allowance or employment support allowance, decisions on Work Capability Assessments or eligibility for personal independence payment. Information on Tribunal clearance times is published by the Ministry of Justice. The most recent report for the period January to March 2015, published on 11 June 2015, can be viewed at:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/tribunals-and-gender-recognition-certificate-statistics-quarterly-january-to-march-2015

Bribery Act 2010

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he plans to make changes to his Department's guidance on the Bribery Act 2010 and facilitation payments and hospitality.

Mike Penning: The Ministry of Justice have kept the Bribery Act Guidance under review since it was published in 2011. There are no plans to revise or replace the existing guidance.

Prisoners' Release

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps are taken by the National Probation Service to ensure that prison leavers can access benefits and food when they leave prison.

Andrew Selous: From 1 May 2015 Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs) have been delivering a Through the Gate (TTG) resettlement service to the vast majority of offenders, so that they benefit from continuity of support from custody to the community. Resettlement services delivered to offenders include help with finding or retaining employment and accommodation, and advice on finance and debt. CRCs are delivering TTG services to both National Probation Service (NPS) and CRC managed offenders. The NPS can also commission additional rehabilitation services from CRCs above mandated TTG services where they believe it will help reduce reoffending.

Community Rehabilitation Companies: Redundancy

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2015 to Question 1763, what the total cash value was of the Modernisation Fund; and how much of that fund was taken and distributed to Community Rehabilitation Companies for enhanced redundancy schemes following the privatisation of probation services.

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2015 to Question 1761, how many staff of what grade are embedded in each Community Rehabilitation Company; and what training such staff have received for overseeing enhanced redundancy schemes.

Andrew Selous: Modernisation funding was allocated to the Ministry of Justice by HM Treasury in 2014/15 to bring about sustainable reductions in resource requirements across the Ministry. Some of this funding was made available for voluntary redundancies in Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs). Of this, £16.4m was spent on voluntary exit packages in 2014/15 and the remainder was allocated to CRCs on a pro-rata basis, based on their size and estimated future staffing requirements. Each Community Rehabilitation Company (CRC) is managed by a Contract Management Team (CMT), headed by a Senior Contract Manager and comprising staff with commercial, contract management and operational expertise to ensure a multi-disciplinary approach. The size of teams reflects the size of the contract being managed. While it is for CRC owners to implement and oversee redundancy schemes, CMTs are ensuring that CRC owners adhere to their contractual obligations in this area. CMTs are able to draw upon commercial, financial and legal expertise from within the wider Ministry in delivering this role.

Ministry of Defence

Military Aircraft

George Kerevan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Answer of 23 June 2015 to Question 3244, what capabilities and specifications have been decided on for the next generation of RAF maritime reconnaissance aircraft; and which specific defence industrial organisations have made representations to his Department on the supply of aircraft or equipment to fulfil that role.

Mr Philip Dunne: No decisions have yet been taken on the capabilities and specifications of any potential new maritime patrol aircraft. Such issues are typically resolved at a later stage in the procurement process and, as stated in my response to Question 3244, no decision has been taken to acquire an aircraft, this will be decision for the Strategic Defence and Security Review.I am withholding information on the details of the defence industrial organisations that have made representations to the Department, as it's disclosure would prejudice commercial interests.

Aircraft Carriers: Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the design of the Queen Elizabeth Class carrier decks has had to be adjusted to accommodate the heat produced by the F-35B lift fans.

Mr Philip Dunne: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 12 June 2014 to Question 199115 to the hon. Member for Moray (Mr Robertson).



199115 - QnA extract on JSF Aircraft
(Word Document, 25.5 KB)

Armed Forces: Recruitment

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many recruits to the (a) army, (b) Royal Navy and (c) Royal Air Force in each year since 2010 originate from each Commonwealth country.

Mr Julian Brazier: The information requested is shown in the attached tables. The Ministry of Defence has interpreted 'originate' to mean country of birth, rather than nationality.



UK Regular Forces
(Excel SpreadSheet, 90.5 KB)

Royal Gurkha Rifles

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people have been recruited to the Brigade of Gurkhas in each year since 2010; to which unit each such person was recruited; and from which region of Nepal those recruits originated.

Mr Julian Brazier: Recruitment to the Brigade of Gurkhas in Nepal starts in April each year with an advert stating the number required. Final selection and enlistment is in December with allocation to unit occurring towards the end of training the following year. Traditionally half of each intake is recruited from the west of Nepal, around Pokhara, and half from the east, around Dharan. The recruitment of Gurkhas was reduced during the redundancy programme but has now increased. The table shows the recruit totals and the allocation to units for the recruiting year 2010 to date. The allocation to units for 2015 is provisional as the recruits are still under training. UNIT20112012201320142015Royal Gurkha Rifles1001006060120Queen's Gurkha Engineers2020202020Queen's Gurkha Signals3020202040Queen's Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment2030202040Gurkha Staff and Personnel Support1010---Brigade Band-----TOTALS180180130130230 The totals are official statistics produced by Defence Statistics. Unit details are single service estimates only. Figures have been rounded in accordance with normal policy.

Animal Experiments: Primates

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 25 June 2015 to Question 3597, what the reason was for each of the 67 experiments conducted on non-human primates in 2014.

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 25 June 2015 to Question 3596, which specific species of non-human primates have been experimented on by his Department in 2014; and how many such experiments have been performed on each such species.

Mr Philip Dunne: In common with other animal species used, the following list encapsulates categories of use: regulatory testing; medical countermeasures to biological agents; medical countermeasures to chemical agents; provision of tissue; hazard assessment; treatment and decontamination of chemical agents; medical management and surgical care; detection and identification of biological weapons.All procedures were on just the one species, namely the Common Marmoset (Callithrix jacchus).Dstl Porton Down conducts less than half of one per cent of the animal experimentation carried out in the UK.Dstl is proud of its work to develop and create battle-winning technology and protection equipment for UK Forces and Government through the best use of science and technology. The remit for Dstl to provide safe and effective protective measures for the UK and its Armed Forces against the threat posed by chemical and biological weapons and to enhance the treatment of conventional casualties on the battlefield, could not currently be achieved without the use of animals.Each procedure is undertaken in strict accordance with the terms of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986; and Dstl fully embraces the principles of the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement). Dstl Porton Down is licensed to conduct research involving animals by the Home Office.

Armed Forces: Housing

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department has spent on repairs for his Department's housing in each year since 2010.

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department has spent on capital works related to his Department's housing in each year since 2010.

Mark Lancaster: The information requested is provided below. Financial Year 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 Capital Works (£ million)27.42225.99232.49675.64138.469Repairs (£ million)55.63146.83143.01845.15344.680

Armed Forces: Training

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, in which countries the armed forces are providing training to (a) security forces and (b) armed forces.

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) members and (b) reserve members of the armed forces are providing training to the (i) armed forces and (ii) security forces of other countries; and in which countries that training is being provided.

Penny Mordaunt: The Ministry of Defence has permanent training teams based overseas in Czech Republic, Kenya, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and South Africa. 57 military personnel are currently serving in these teams. The teams deliver advice, capacity-building and training directly to the armed and security forces of the countries in which they are based, and of others on a regional basis. 470 personnel are in Afghanistan as part of the Resolute Support Mission to train, advise and assist the Afghan National Security Forces. Over 100 personnel are currently deployed on other enduring overseas tasks, including the EU Training Mission in Mali, the international efforts in Somalia and Iraq, and security sector assistance to the Palestinian Authority. In addition there are some 200 personnel in Loan Service teams in seven countries: Brunei, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. These Loan Service personnel are embedded in a wide variety of training, educational and staff posts in the host nations' armed forces.Data is not held centrally on which posts are filled by reservists. Exchange posts with NATO allies and others have been excluded.  A substantial amount of training is also provided by short-term training teams (STTTs) sent from the UK. An STTT may comprise a single instructor for a few days or up to 40 or 50 personnel for several weeks. STTTs are often called forward by the permanent overseas teams but are also arranged by defence attaches as part of our bilateral defence relationships. In 2014 over 1,000 military personnel deployed in such teams. Royal Navy vessels also undertake training tasks in the course of their deployments. Countries or territories in which UK Armed Forces have provided training to either security or armed forces personnel since January 2014 are: Algeria, Afghanistan, Armenia, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Burma, Burundi, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Cook Island (New Zealand), Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Hungary, India, Iraq, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Macedonia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Moldova, Morocco, Namibia, Nepal, Nieu (island near New Zealand), Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tonga, Tunisia, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Yemen and Zimbabwe.

Future Large Aircraft

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many safety tests of the A400m Atlas aircraft have been undertaken by his Department to date; and how many further such tests are scheduled over the next year.

Mr Philip Dunne: The A400M development and production contract requires that Airbus undertake a comprehensive flight test programme to validate the safety of the A400M aircraft. The results of this test programme make a pivotal contribution to the safety certification of the A400M by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the A400M partner nations' certification and qualification organisation. Although the Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not directly undertake A400M flight testing, MOD personnel and subject matter experts scrutinise and, with counterparts from other partner nations, confirm the validity of certification evidence, including the robustness of flight test evidence in supporting the A400M safety case.In addition to the scope of the A400M development programme, there are a number of dedicated UK capabilities, such as UK parachutes and aerial delivery systems, which need to be cleared from a safety perspective on A400M. Consequently, the UK will commence its own testing of these dedicated capabilities, starting at the end of July 2015 and continuing until March 2018, to clear their release to service.

Department for Work and Pensions

Occupational Pensions

Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if his Department will develop a single and clear set of guidelines for micro-businesses who will be required to automatically enrol their employees with a pension scheme for the first time to ensure that they can access the information they require cost-effectively.

Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what support his Department plans to offer micro-businesses in adapting to new automatic enrolment pension provisions; and if he will make a statement.

Justin Tomlinson: The Department continues to work with The Pensions Regulator to support micro employers in meeting their automatic enrolment duties as simply and cost effectively as possible. This includes working with accountants, bookkeepers, payroll bureaus and other intermediaries to ensure they are ready to support smaller employers effectively. The first cohort of the smallest employers began to comply with their automatic enrolment duties from 1 June this year. We continue to receive feedback about the experience of employers. We are learning all the time and have adapted and improved the process and the support available.

Occupational Pensions

Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what representations he has received on the potential risk of pensions auto-enrolment packages and products being mis-sold to micro-businesses.

Justin Tomlinson: The Department continues to work with The Pensions Regulator to support the smallest employers in meeting their automatic enrolment duties as simply and cost effectively as possible. The Regulator has provided guidance for employers on choosing a pension scheme and is continuing to consider how best to support employers in this important decision. The Government introduced a package of measures in April to strengthen governance in schemes used for automatic enrolment and protect members from high or inappropriate charges. This includes the introduction of a 0.75 per cent cap on charges in the default funds of schemes used for automatic enrolment.

Welfare Tax Credits: EU Law

Mr David Nuttall: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of whether the introduction of a mandatory four-year contributory period applied to both UK and EU nationals prior to eligibility for the tax credit element of universal credit would be permissible under EU law.

Priti Patel: As the Government has made clear, it is important that we address the concerns of the British people about the EU. Part of that means reforming welfare to reduce the incentives that have encouraged migration from Europe.

Universal Credit: EU Nationals

Mr David Nuttall: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of EU nationals is eligible for universal credit in those areas in which that benefit is being trialled.

Priti Patel: The information is not available. The Department published its strategy for releasing official statistics on Universal Credit in September 2013. As outlined in the strategy, officials are quality assuring data for Universal Credit and formulating a definitive list of what statistics will be provided in the future. These statistics will be published in accordance with the relevant protocols in the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.

Minimum Wage: EU Nationals

Mr David Nuttall: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what forms of local and central government support are available to an EU national working on the minimum wage other than tax credits.

Priti Patel: EU national workers have access to the same range of support as UK nationals.

Employment and Support Allowance

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many employment and support allowance claimants there were in each year since 2010; and how many such claimants had Social Fund Loan payments deducted in each such year.

Priti Patel: The information available on the number of Employment and Support Allowance claimants can be found at: https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/default.asp. Guidance for users can be found at: https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/home/newuser.asp. However, information on the number of Employment and Support Allowance claimants who have had Social Fund deductions is not readily available.

Social Security Benefits

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will publish the guidance given to jobcentre staff in pilot jobcentres on the Claimant Commitment and the responsibility of individuals to increase their earnings.

Priti Patel: DWP publish staff guidance on an ad-hoc basis as requested. Information on making a claim to Universal Credit and the claimant commitment is available on the gov.uk website here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-and-your-claimant-commitment-quick-guide

Social Security Benefits: Disqualification

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he plans to respond to the Work and Pensions Select Committee report, Benefit sanctions policy beyond the Oakley Review, HC 814, published on 24 March 2015.

Priti Patel: The Department is currently considering the contents of the report and looks forward to working with the new Work and Pensions Select Committee.

Social Security Benefits: Aberdeen

Kirsty Blackman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 18 June 2015 to Question 2685, if he will make it his policy to respond to Parliamentary Questions seeking benefits statistics which are held by his Department in Stat-Xplore by publishing extractions of the relevant data in those Answers.

Justin Tomlinson: The Department makes a wide range of official statistics readily available via the GOV.UK website and also via online portals such as Stat-Xplore. The Department follows agreed procedures on how to provide statistics when answering parliamentary questions by using links to the appropriate pages and data portals. This is an efficient way of answering the volume and wide range of parliamentary questions received.

Universal Credit

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what his most recent estimate is of the number of people who will be claiming universal credit when it is fully rolled out.

Priti Patel: Once fully rolled out, we estimate that there will be around 7 million households in receipt of Universal Credit.

Personal Independence Payment: Hearing Impairment

Mrs Flick Drummond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he has taken to ensure that deaf young people aged 16 to 19 are treated appropriately during assessments for personal independence payments.

Justin Tomlinson: Personal Independence Payment (PIP) consultations are undertaken by Health Professionals trained in disability assessments and understanding the complex effects of living with a health condition or disability. Our providers will meet any reasonable request to accommodate all claimants, including 16 – 19 year olds, who have additional requirement such as deaf-language interpreters. Claimants can also bring their own interpreter to the consultation.

Personal Independence Payment: Hearing Impairment

Mrs Flick Drummond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what progress he has made in ensuring that the claim process for personal independence payments is accessible to (a) deaf people who do not use a telephone and (b) other deaf people.

Mrs Flick Drummond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he expects that deaf people will be able to begin a claim for personal independence payments (a) by email and (b) online.

Justin Tomlinson: The Department is currently trialling a process where deaf claimants or their representative organisations can email to ask for a paper claim. In addition work is continuing to design and introduce a PIP digital claim as part of the wider PIP service. We are working closely with the Cabinet Office to ensure this meets the government standards for digital services which focuses on the needs of users and will be accessible. We are looking to invite a small number of claimants to use the digital service in 2015. This will allow us to test and learn and continually improve the service before wider deployment.

Work Programme

Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential benefits of devolving the Work Programme to Metro Mayors and Combined Authorities.

Priti Patel: We have committed to explore joint commissioning for next round of Work Programme contracts with Greater Manchester, London, Sheffield and Leeds. We are working with these areas to assess the feasibility for this approach.

Housing Benefit: Lewisham

Vicky Foxcroft: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many privately rented households in the London Borough of Lewisham were in receipt of housing benefit in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2014-15.

Vicky Foxcroft: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many housing benefit claimants there were in (a) 2014-15, (b) 2013-14, (c) 2012-13, (d) 2011-12 and (e) 2010-11 in the London Borough of Lewisham.

Justin Tomlinson: The information requested to answer both the questions above, up to February 2015, is published and available at:https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.ukGuidance on how to extract the information required can be found at:https://sw.stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started---SuperWEB2.html

Department for Work and Pensions: Electronic Government

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to ensure that his Department's website and digital services are accessible to people with sensory losses.

Justin Tomlinson: All Department for Work and Pensions’ digital services are designed and built in line with Government Digital Service guidelines, and two international standards for IT accessibility (ISO 9241-171:2008 and WCAG version 2.00). The intention is to make the services usable by as many people as possible without the use of assistive technology, and to be compatible with screen reading and magnifying tools for those people requiring them. To ensure that they meet these standards, the services are tested during the development process and prior to implementation. This includes both a range of technical tests and assessment of their usability by intended end users. Feedback from users of the services is encouraged and acted upon.

Social Security Benefits: Disability

Ms Margaret Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to enable people who have been infected by contaminated blood products to have automatic access to disability benefits.

Justin Tomlinson: We have no plans to enable people who have been infected by contaminated blood products to gain automatic access to disability benefits. Disability benefits are primarily based on the daily living, care or, where applicable, mobility needs arising from a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability rather than a diagnosis, specific medical condition or disability. This means that those who have been infected by contaminated blood products have access to disability benefits on the same terms as other people with physical or mental health conditions or disabilities.

Universal Credit

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much his Department has budgeted for IT consultancy support related to universal credit in each of the next five years.

Priti Patel: The Department does not disclose commercially sensitive information.

Food Banks

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 22 June 2015 to Question 900461, if he will place in the Library a copy of his Department's evidence on the reasons behind food bank referrals.

Priti Patel: As I have previously detailed to the House, the reasons for food bank use are complex and overlapping. There is no robust evidence that directly links sanctions and food bank use.

Housing Benefit

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will increase the amount of discretionary housing payment funding to local authorities after the reduction of the household benefit cap.

Justin Tomlinson: I refer the Rt. Hon. Member to the answer I gave on 23 June 2015 to Question UIN2538.

Personal Independence Payment

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the phone number which disability living allowance claimants must phone in order to make a claim for personal independence payments will be free to call from (a) mobiles and (b) landlines.

Justin Tomlinson: Yes, I can confirm that all calls to make a claim for Personal Independence Payment will be free from mobile phones, landlines and textphones.

Universal Credit

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of savings to the public purse in each of the next five years arising from the implementation of the Universal Credit (Waiting Days)(Amendment) Regulations 2015.

Priti Patel: The principle behind the waiting days is that benefits are not designed to provide cover for brief spells of unemployment.  We expect savings of around £150m per annum which will be used to fund measures to get people off benefit and into work and will particularly help those who are likely to be long­ term benefit recipients.

Social Security Benefits

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of (a) sanctions and (b) appeals are related to claimants not performing online requirements such as job search.

Priti Patel: The available information in respect of Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance, sanction decisions and Appeals by reason, is published at:https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/Guidance on how to extract the information required can be found at:https://sw.stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started---SuperWEB2.html

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Animal Welfare: Trade Agreements

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure that high animal welfare standards are incorporated into international trade agreements; and how her Department plans to measure such standards.

George Eustice: The European Commission are responsible for negotiating international trade agreements on behalf of the European Union. However, the UK actively supported the inclusion of commitments on animal welfare in the agreement with Canada (CETA). We are also pressing strongly for the same in the EU/US Free Trade Agreement; and will be making the case in other agreements under negotiation, including those with Japan and Vietnam.   We will also work with the Commission and other trading partners, to incorporate EU animal welfare standards into the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) international trade framework.

Countryside

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans she has to (a) protect the Green Belt and (b) maintain national protections for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, National Parks, Sites of Special Scientific Interest and other environmental designations.

Rory Stewart: Defra has responsibility for policy on national parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty (AONBs) and sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs), while oversight of the planning system and green belt protections are the policy responsibility of the Department for Communities and Local Government.   a) The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) is clear that most types of new development in green belt are inappropriate, and should only be approved in very special circumstances. The Government published further guidance in October 2014, which reaffirmed the need to consider green belt protection when developing local plans. Policy also encourages the use of brownfield sites for development.   b) A quarter of England is protected as national park or AONB, recognising the importance of conserving and enhancing our finest landscapes, their culture and heritage; and the contribution our beautiful countryside makes to the nation’s prosperity and well-being. The NPPF contains strong planning policies to maintain the protection of these landscapes on the nation’s behalf. These policies provide national parks, the Broads and AONBs with the highest status of protection in relation to landscape and scenic beauty.   SSSIs are protected both by legislation and through the NPPF. Section 28 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) sets out provisions regarding the notification, protection and management of SSSIs, and requires authorities to take steps to further the conservation of SSSIs. The NPPF provides strong protection for SSSIs and for other environmental designations. It also directs planning authorities to give consideration to the conservation and enhancement of biodiversity in their decision making.   Existing protections for the green belt, for our national parks, and for other environmental designations are robust and this Government is committed to maintaining that protection.

Antibiotics: Livestock

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential effect on the spread of antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria of increased use of antibiotics in farm animals; and if she will make a statement.

George Eustice: Bacteria naturally adapt and find new ways to survive the effects of an antibiotic; any use of an antibiotic increases the risk that bacteria will develop resistance. The Government continues to carry out research and surveillance to better understand the link between antibiotic use and development of resistance. Final reports from completed research projects are published via gov.uk, while results from surveillance of resistance in key zoonotic bacteria are published annually in the Veterinary Antimicrobial Resistance and Sales Surveillance report.

Antibiotics: Livestock

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what information her Department holds on the proportion of antibiotic use in the UK which is accounted for by administration to animals on farms.

George Eustice: The Government collects sales data on antibiotics sold for use in animals. Currently there are no data sets that allow direct comparison between animal and human use of antibiotics in the UK.   For 2013; the current best estimate of total antibiotics dispensed for use in humans is 590 tonnes. Total antibiotics sold for use in animals was 420 tonnes, of which 355 tonnes were indicated for use in food producing animals, including fish.   Based on these data, antibiotics for food producing animals accounts for 35% of the total proportion of antibiotics in the UK.

Food: Waste

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how her Department plans to reduce the disposal level of edible food in the UK.

Rory Stewart: In accordance with the waste hierarchy, voluntary agreements with business and the Waste and Resources Action Programme’s (WRAP’s) Love Food Hate Waste campaign encourage action by households, food manufacturers, retailers and the hospitality and food service sectors to prevent food waste in the first place.   If surplus food cannot be prevented, the next best option is to ensure it is redistributed for human consumption. The Courtauld Commitment 3 supply chain target includes action on both prevention and redistribution. This dual target approach encourages redistribution as the most desirable route for any surplus food suitable for human consumption.   Defra convened a Ministerial round table in July 2012 and requested WRAP to lead an industry working group to follow up on recommendations. As a key output of the group, WRAP published research, guiding principles and good practice case studies to help industry take action. http://www.wrap.org.uk/content/foodredistribution.   Building further on this work, Defra convened a round table meeting in January this year with representatives from food retailers, manufacturers, trade associations and the food redistribution sector to discuss how more surplus food can be put to good use. Progress has been good, with an increase of 80% in the food redistributed under Courtauld between 2012 and 2013. To continue this momentum a Courtauld working group has been set up and tasked with looking at further ways to increase the redistribution of surplus food. Further research will look at where and why waste and surpluses occur in the supply chain, which should provide further opportunities to identify and redistribute surplus food.   Since there will always be some unavoidable food waste, the Government’s Anaerobic Digestion Strategy is in place to reduce the amount of organic material going to landfill and drive the waste that is produced into energy recovery or recycling.

Bovine Tuberculosis

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to concentrate badger cull trials on diseased badgers; and if she will make a statement.

George Eustice: The culling of badgers is only licensed where there is a recognised, established reservoir of disease in badgers. We have evidence of TB in badgers from the Randomised Badger Culling Trial (RBCT) which stretched from Cornwall to Staffordshire, as well as from scientific studies at two sites in Gloucestershire and I understand that TB has recently been found in badgers as far north as Cheshire and as far east as Oxfordshire.   Culling badgers reduced TB in cull areas in the RBCT while epidemiological analysis by APHA and others and on-farm assessment also show that badgers are implicated in many breakdowns.   The culling of badgers is therefore necessary in those parts of the country where existing cattle controls cannot contain the epidemic.

Bovine Tuberculosis

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the size of the burden of work on farmers involved in setting up an area for the purpose of badger cull trials.

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent estimate she has made of the cost to farmers of setting up an area in which to carry out badger cull trials.

George Eustice: The cost to farmers of setting up an area was estimated at £20,000 per area per year as part of the Impact Assessment published by Defra on 30 November 2011.   Activities undertaken by farmers during this process typically include communications, planning, support, management and administration.   The Impact Assessment can be found on the GOV.UK website in the publications section. The £20,000 per area value includes costs for recruiting a group leader or project officer to co-ordinate the application including farm visits, collating maps, collecting data to satisfy all of the licence criteria and information required to support the Badger Control Plan, including information on bio-security awareness campaigns and the measures already in place. The group leader or project officer would liaise with the licensing authority during the application process and monitor participation and compliance throughout the cull period, including the submission of licence returns and any necessary enforcement action.

Waste Disposal: Fees and Charges

David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many local authorities have imposed the Inert Waste Charges Scheme since 1 June 2015; and what the average fee charged in that scheme is.

Rory Stewart: Defra does not keep statistics on which local authorities charge for inert waste, nor for the average fee charged. Decisions on charging are a matter for local authorities. Waste disposal authorities are under a duty to provide places where their residents may deposit household waste free of charge. However, not all waste from domestic property is ‘household’ waste for these purposes, and there is no duty to accept non-household waste at such sites.

Shellfish: Dee Estuary

Margaret Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much revenue has been raised from licence fees for cockling in the River Dee estuary in each year since 2010.

George Eustice: Natural Resource Wales has confirmed that the total revenue raised from license fees for the River Dee Estuary cockle fishery under the Dee Estuary Regulating Order in each year since 2010 is as follows:   YearTotal revenue (£)201051,584201152,576201252,576201368,900201468,900

Shellfish

Margaret Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much her Department has spent on the management and enforcement of cockling rights in each year since 2010; and what information her Department holds on equivalent spending by the Welsh Government.

George Eustice: Defra does not hold this information.

Shellfish: Dee Estuary

Margaret Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what licence arrangements are in place during the closure of the cockle beds on the River Dee estuary.

George Eustice: Management of the cockle beds, which will remain closed, is a matter for Natural Resource Wales.

Shellfish: Dee Estuary

Margaret Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what enforcement measures her Department has undertaken in relation to illegal cockling on the River Dee; how many prosecutions for illegal cockling on the River Dee her Department has brought in each year since 2010; and how many such prosecutions were successful.

George Eustice: All cockle fisheries within the Dee Estuary are controlled via the Dee Estuary Cockle Fishery Order 2008. Enforcement of the Order is a matter for Natural Resources Wales (NRW) as grantee of the Order.   Defra does not have information pertaining to the specific enforcement measures taken by NRW on illegal fishing occurring within this fishery.

Fisheries: Dee Estuary

Margaret Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with the Welsh Government on (a) the management of fish, mussels, cockles and other seafood stocks in the River Dee estuary, (b) the reasons for the closure of the cockle beds in that estuary and (c) the projected date for the reopening of those cockle beds.

George Eustice: Fisheries is a devolved matter, and the Dee Estuary is a cross border fishery which is managed by the Welsh Government and Natural Resources for Wales for the Welsh part of the estuary. For the English part of the estuary, fisheries management is covered by my Department, the Environment Agency, the Marine Management Organisation, and the North West Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority.   However, Natural Resources for Wales (NRW) has responsibility for managing the cockle fishery in the Dee Estuary (on both the Welsh and English sides) as grantee of the Dee Estuary Cockle Fishery Order 2008. NRW has taken the decision to not open the fishery this year due to insufficient stocks. It has suggested that it may be opened in July 2016 should sufficient stock be available.   I have not had any direct dealings with counterparts in Wales within the Dee Estuary fisheries management context or specifically in relation to the closure of the cockle beds.

Bovine Tuberculosis

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will take steps to simplify the process of applying for licences under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992.

George Eustice: Natural England is responsible for processing applications for licences under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, to cull or vaccinate badgers for TB control purposes. The process ensures that applicants meet the requirements, set out in Defra’s Guidance to Natural England, for any cull of badgers to be effective, safe and humane.

Litter: Prosecutions

David T. C. Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the CPS has taken to prosecute people more effectively for illegal littering in the last two years.

Rory Stewart: We are committed to taking action on litter: our manifesto includes a commitment to review the case for increasing the fines for littering.   Local councils and other relevant authorities are responsible for taking enforcement action against littering offences. Anyone caught littering may be prosecuted in a Magistrates’ Court, which can lead to a criminal record and a fine of up to £2,500 on conviction. Alternatively, the litter authority can issue a fixed penalty notice, which currently includes a fine of up to £80. It is for local councils to decide their priorities, including what enforcement action to take against littering offences.

Home Office

British Nationality: Assessments

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the highest number of times is that a person has taken the Life in the UK test.

James Brokenshire: The highest number of times recorded that an individual has taken the Life in the UK test is 64.

Illegal Immigrants: Northern Ireland

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many illegal immigrants have been removed from Northern Ireland in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement.

James Brokenshire: The table below shows the number of illegal immigrants removed from Northern Ireland in each of the last five years. The number for each year includes both enforced removals and voluntary departures.  YearTotal20104032011455201229020133322014363Grand Total1843

Illegal Immigrants: France

Mr David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will review the funding she committed in September 2014 to strengthening border security measures at Calais to (a) bring forward planned expenditure and (b) increase the funding available.

James Brokenshire: The £12 million Joint Fund is fully committed to a programme of security infrastructure and other improvements. The infrastructure improvements to security at juxtaposed ports which are part of this are scheduled to be completed over the summer 2015.

Refugees: Syria

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to increase the number of Syrian refugees entering the UK.

James Brokenshire: The Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation (VPR) was launched in January 2014 to provide sanctuary in the UK for displaced Syrians who are most at risk. The scheme runs in parallel with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ Syria Humanitarian Admission Programme. The VPR scheme is based on need rather than quota and we envisage that it will support several hundred people over three years. From the start of the scheme until the end of March 2015, 187 of the most vulnerable Syrians have been relocated to the UK. At the Global Security Forum on 19 June, the Prime Minister announced the scheme would be expanded to a greater number of vulnerable people who cannot be supported in the region.The Government will also continue to consider Syrian asylum claims under our normal rules. Since the crisis began in 2011 the UK has granted asylum or other forms of leave to over 4,200 Syrian asylum seekers.

Asylum: Eritrea

Mr David Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many asylum applications from Eritrean nationals were decided in (a) April and (b) May 2015; and what decision was taken in each such case.

James Brokenshire: Holding answer received on 01 July 2015



The Home Office publishes data on asylum decisions on a quarterly and annual basis. Quarterly statistics for the period April to June 2015 will be published on 27 August 2015.A copy of the latest release, ‘Immigration Statistics January – March 2015’ is available from https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/home-office/series/immigration-statistics-quarterly-release.

Asylum: Eritrea

Mr David Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will review and update her Department's country guidance on Eritrea relating to illegal exit and national service to take better account of the UN Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in Eritrea.

James Brokenshire: Holding answer received on 01 July 2015



We are currently reviewing our country information and guidance on Eritrea to take into account the advance version of the Report of UN Commission of Inquiry on the human rights situation in Eritrea released in early June and other recently published country information.We will issue updated and revised guidance on both illegal exit and national service shortly.

Immigration Controls: Foreign Workers

Kirsty Blackman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what guidance her Department provides to employers sponsoring workers on Tier 2 visas on potential changes to their employees' immigration status as a result of 2011 immigration rules changes requiring workers who have been in the UK more than five years to earn more than £35,000 gross per annum; and what steps she is taking to help employers support such employees.

James Brokenshire: The Home Office’s published guidance for sponsors advises employers that migrant workers may only be sponsored for a maximum of six years under Tier 2.Employers and employees were notified that changes to settlement rules would apply to Tier 2 migrants who entered the route in April 2011, so have had more than four years to plan accordingly.

Illegal Immigrants: France

Mr David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she next plans to meet (a) ferry operators, (b) Eurostar and (c) Eurotunnel to discuss the situation in Calais.

James Brokenshire: Home Office Ministers have meetings with a wide variety of international partners, as well as organisations and individuals in the public and private sectors, as part of the process of policy development and delivery. Details of these meetings are passed to the Cabinet Office on a quarterly basis and are subsequently published on the Gov.uk website: http://data.gov.uk/dataset/ministerial-data-home-office

Bail

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the bail system.

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he is taking to increase the efficiency of the bail system.

Mike Penning: My Right Honourable Friend the Home Secretary announced on 23 March a package of measures to reduce both the number of individuals subject to, and the average duration of, pre-charge bail. As set out in the Gracious Speech, the Government will legislate in the Policing and Criminal Justice Bill to adopt those reforms.These measures will bring greater accountability to pre-charge bail and ensure people do not spend months, or even years on bail, only for charges to be dropped.

Police Custody: Restraint Techniques

Kate Osamor: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what information her Department holds on the (a) number of instances where restraint was used against people in police custody, (b) age, ethnicity and gender of those people so restrained and (c) number of such people who were experiencing mental ill health when so restrained in the last five years.

Mike Penning: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Asylum

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people have (a) applied for and (b) been granted asylum from (i) Syria, (ii) Eritrea, (iii) Afghanistan, (iv) Somalia, (v) Nigeria, (vi) Palestine, (vii) Iraq and (viii) Libya in each of the last five years.

James Brokenshire: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Scotland Office

Scotland Office: Directors

Lucy Powell: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many non-executive directors of his Department who were in post before May 2015 have since left the Department's board; what the names and length of tenure of such directors were; and how many and what non-executive director appointments he has made since May 2010.

David Mundell: I was appointed as Secretary of State for Scotland on the 15 May 2015. None of the Non-Executive Directors who were in post before May 2015 have since left the Department’s Board. The previous Secretary of State for Scotland approved the following Non-Executive appointments to the Scotland Office and Office of the Advocate General’s Joint Management Board on the 20 March 2015:Graeme BissettJoyce CullenShonaig MacphersonDetails regarding the Joint Management Board can be found in the Offices’ annual report and accounts, which are published on GOV.UK. The Offices’ annual report for 2014-2015 will be laid in the UK Parliament shortly.

Fire Services: Pensions

Margaret Ferrier: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on Firefighters' Pension Scheme reforms.

David Mundell: I have not discussed Firefighters’ Pension Scheme Reforms with the Scottish Government. The design of the reformed Firefighter Pension Scheme was led by Roseanna Cunningham MSP when Minister for Community Safety and the administration of both the new and old Fire Pension Schemes in Scotland falls to the Scottish Public Pensions Agency which is an agency of the Scottish Government.

Fire Services: Pensions

Margaret Ferrier: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what representations he has made to the Department for Communities and Local Government on the effect of Firefighters' Pension Scheme reforms in Scotland.

David Mundell: I have not made representations to the Department for Communities and Local Government on the effect of Firefighters’ Pension Scheme reforms in Scotland. The design of the reformed Firefighter Pension Scheme was led by Roseanna Cunningham MSP when Minister for Community Safety and the implementing regulations were laid before the Scottish Parliament on 11 March 2015.

Food Banks: Scotland

Margaret Ferrier: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will discuss levels of food bank use in Scotland with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in order to assess the potential link between reductions in welfare provision and food bank usage.

David Mundell: I meet regularly with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and we discuss a wide range of issues including welfare provision. The reasons behind foodbank use are complex and can be affected by issues that are already the responsibility of the Scottish Government in areas such as education, health and social care, housing and justice.

Social Security Benefits: Scotland

Margaret Ferrier: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what representations he has made to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on changing the benefit sanctions regime in Scotland.

David Mundell: I meet regularly with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to discuss a wide range of welfare related matters. The Government believes that unemployment benefits must be conditional on recipients taking action to find work if we are to maintain confidence in the welfare system. This is a view shared by most practitioners and the Scottish Government’s own Expert Group.

Universal Credit: Scotland

Margaret Ferrier: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the timescale for the rollout of universal credit in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

David Mundell: I meet regularly with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to discuss a wide range of welfare related matters. Details of the rollout of universal credit is available on the UK Government website which can be found at: http://dwpstats.maps.arcgis.com/apps/Viewer/index.html?appid=1713828f61dc4c01a98eb9df1dcc5ab9.

Welfare State: Scotland

Margaret Ferrier: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the commissioning of analysis on the effect of welfare changes since 2010 on poverty levels in Scotland.

David Mundell: I meet regularly with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to discuss a wide range of welfare related matters. DWP considers carefully the impact of individual policy changes, including the effect on individuals with protected characteristics in line with its legal obligations. The Scottish Government own statistics (drawn from Households Below Average Income dataset, DWP), published in the “Poverty and Income Inequality in Scotland: 2013/14 report” shows that relative poverty for all groups is either lower or at the same level in 2013/14 compared in 2009/10. GroupNumbers in relative low income, thousands (percentage)2009/102013/14All individualsBefore Housing Costs870 (17)730 (14)After Housing Costs970 (19)940 (18)ChildrenBefore Housing Costs200 (20)140 (14)After Housing Costs240 (24)210 (22)Working-ageBefore Housing Costs500 (16)440 (14)After Housing Costs600 (19)600 (19)PensionersBefore Housing Costs170 (16)160 (15)After Housing Costs120 (12)120 (12) The full report is available at http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/06/7453.

Battle of Preston: Anniversaries

Mr Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will visit Preston to commemorate the Battle of Preston in 1715.

David Mundell: I have no current plans to visit Preston. I wish the events planned to mark the 300 year anniversary of the Battle of Preston every success.

Department for Energy and Climate Change

Renewable Energy: Employment

Harry Harpham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, pursuant to the Answer of 1 June 2015 to Question 596, how many UK supply chain (a) jobs and (b) apprenticeships were created by each type of renewable energy for each year since 2010.

Andrea Leadsom: Figures published by BIS in The Size and Performance of the UK Low Carbon Economy (March 2015)1 report show that in 2013 the renewable energy sector (including both renewable heat and renewable electricity) supported around 168,400 jobs in total.Table 1 details the number of jobs supported by each type of renewable energy, both directly and within the supply chain each year for 2010-2013. The equivalent information is not available for 2014 or 2015 or for the number of apprenticeships that have been created.Table 1: Number of jobs supported by the renewable energy sector by energy type, in the UK   20102011DirectSupply chain/IndirectTotalDirectSupply chain/IndirectTotalOffshore wind6,3004,60010,9006,7004,90011,600Solar PV11,5008,00019,50017,00011,80028,800Hydroelectric energy3,9002,9006,8004,2003,1007,300Onshore wind8,2006,00014,30010,3007,50017,800Biomass and bioenergy116,60012,20028,80016,90012,40029,400Marine1,7001,3003,0001,8001,3003,100Geothermal electricity400300700400300700Total renewable electricity48,70035,20083,90057,30041,30098,600Total renewable heat31,40022,10053,50032,20022,60054,900Total renewable energy 80,10057,300137,40089,60064,000153,500 20122013DirectSupply chain/ IndirectTotalDirectSupply chain/IndirectTotalOffshore wind7,2005,30012,4007,9005,80013,700Solar PV21,00014,60035,60020,30014,10034,400Hydroelectric energy4,1003,0007,1004,3003,1007,400Onshore wind10,6007,80018,40011,0008,00019,000Biomass and bioenergy [1]17,40012,80030,20018,30013,40031,700Marine1,8001,3003,0001,8001,3003,100Geothermal electricity500300800500400900Total renewable electricity62,60045,000107,60064,10046,200110,300Total renewable heat33,20023,30056,50034,10024,00058,100Total renewable energy 95,70068,300164,10098,20070,100168,400   [1] Biomass and bioenergy include the following sectors: energy generation from waste and biomass, biomass equipment, alternative fuels. Alternative fuels category includes jobs supported by both renewable and non-renewable energy sectors.

Wind Power: Seas and Oceans

Harry Harpham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, pursuant to the Answer of 1 June 2015 to Question 601, where components of the Rampion wind farm will be manufactured; and which aspects of the supply chain will be UK manufactured.

Andrea Leadsom: The Department does not hold a list detailing where components of the Rampion wind farm will be manufactured or which aspects of the supply chain will be UK manufactured.However, recent announcements by EON have stated that: Carillion has been awarded a contract to design, supply and install 160km of 150kV cable and associated jointing accessories; Babcock International has won a contract to design, engineer and construct the 2500-tonne offshore substation platform topside and jacket; and the operations and maintenance building will be located in the port of Newhaven.As mentioned in my previous answer, we are working closely with EON to ensure that UK supply chain companies have the opportunity to compete for contracts that have yet to be awarded.

Fracking

Mark Menzies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment she has made of the level of potential flaring on shale gas sites.

Andrea Leadsom: Flaring of gas at onshore sites in England requires a permit from the Environment Agency and the consent of my rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State under the Energy Act 1976. Our policy is that any flaring should be reduced to the economic minimum.In the Strategic Environmental Assessment carried out for the 14th onshore licensing round, the level of flaring for unconventional oil and gas was assessed to be 500,000 cubic meters of methane per fractured exploration well.

Fracking

Mark Menzies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what steps are being taken to reduce the risk of seismic activity as a result of shale gas drilling.

Andrea Leadsom: In order to avoid hydraulically fracturing near faults, operators are required to review information on faults in the area of the proposed well, and to monitor background seismicity before operations commence. In addition, real time seismic monitoring will also continue during operations, informing a “traffic-light” regime, so that operations can be quickly halted and data reviewed if unusual levels of seismic activity are observed. The level of seismicity at which operations are halted has been set at a precautionary low level on the basis of a report by independent experts and will only be detected at the ground's surface by sensitive equipment.

Fracking

Mark Menzies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, if she will introduce a more stringent monitoring regime for abandoned shale gas wells.

Andrea Leadsom: There is a robust and long established regulatory regime in place covering all wells and boreholes throughout their lifecycle, including abandonment. When operations finish, the operator is responsible for safe decommissioning of the well. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) scrutinises the design of all wells prior to any construction taking place. It also monitors well construction based on weekly reports to its well specialists and scrutinises the decommissioning process in the same way.The environmental permit requires the operator to have in place a closure and rehabilitation plan, which should follow the Environment Agency’s (EA) good practice for decommissioning boreholes and wells. The EA will not allow the operator to surrender their permit until it is satisfied that pollution has not occurred at a site. The HSE and EA have a working together agreement, committing to jointly inspect and sharing information on sites where hydraulic fracturing is taking place.

Wind Power: Subsidies

Dr Paul Monaghan: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, with reference to her Department's press release of 18 June 2015, Changes to onshore wind subsidies, whether she plans to implement a dispensation for the Contract for Difference period to be extended to accommodate existing consented projects with delayed grid connection dates.

Andrea Leadsom: As my rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State made clear in the Written Ministerial Statement of 18 June 2015, Official Report, Column HCWS42, this Government is committed to ending new subsidies for onshore wind. We are currently considering how we use the tools available under the CFD to implement this manifesto commitment and will set out how to do so, in due course.

Fracking

Mark Menzies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, who will carry out the independent monitoring of proposed shale gas sites.

Andrea Leadsom: A research consortium led by British Geological Survey (BGS) is conducting a programme of environmental monitoring in Lancashire. Its work builds on existing national monitoring programmes for groundwater and seismicity by including air quality, surface-water quality, soil gases and ground motion. It represents the first independent integrated monitoring programme to characterise the environmental baseline before any shale gas operations begin.If planning permission is granted and exploration goes ahead, the monitoring programme will continue during the different stages of operation.More information is available on the BGS website:http://www.bgs.ac.uk/research/groundwater/shaleGas/monitoring/lancashire.html.

Radioactive Waste

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment she has made of the compatibility of proposals  for a geological facility for radioactive waste up to 20 kilometres from land with the UK's obligations under the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic.

Andrea Leadsom: The Government considers that the safe and secure permanent disposal of radioactive waste in a geological disposal facility is not incompatible with the OSPAR1 strategy to prevent pollution of the maritime area from ionising radiation. The design and location of a geological disposal facility in the UK has yet to be determined. Full consideration of all UK obligations under international treaties will be taken into account in deciding on the design and location of the facility.   [1] OSPAR (2003) Radioactive Substances Strategy. In: 2003 Strategies of the OSPAR Commission for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic. OSPAR 2003-21. OSPAR, London.

Radioactive Waste

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what discussions she has had with (a) the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and (b) Radioactive Waste Management Ltd on ensuring that the decision-making process for deciding on a geological disposal facility for radioactive waste is open and transparent.

Andrea Leadsom: The 2014 Implementing Geological Disposal White Paper set out a number of initial actions that will be undertaken by the UK Government and by the developer Radioactive Waste Management Ltd (RWM) to help implement geological disposal. As set out in the White Paper, RWM, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, was tasked by my department to lead a National Geological Screening exercise in an open and transparent manner. The White Paper included a direction from my department that the Geological Society of London take responsibility for establishing an independent review panel to review and evaluate the draft national screening guidance and that this assessment should be achieved through open discussion and engagement with the developer, the public and interested stakeholders. This work has been delivered through a number of events including:- A technical event in September 2014 organised by the Geological Society and RWM, which was open to all and attended by 80 technical experts representing academia, the geoscience community, the supply chain and non-governmental organisations.- Nine regional geological society branch meetings, open to geological specialists and members of the public.- Five non-specialist events for interested members of the general public.- A meeting in public of a discussion between the Independent Review Panel and RWM on the National Geological Screening Guidance, which was simultaneously streamed live over the internet and a video of which is available on RWM’s website. In addition, as part of wider communication on the national geological screening exercise, 17 e-bulletins have been sent out to over 550 interested subscribers detailing recent updates and information on past and forthcoming events.All of this is made clearly available on RWM’s website where anyone can subscribe for further information: www.nda.gov.uk/rwm/national-geological-screening/

Radioactive Waste

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of providing compensation to communities sited along railway lines and roads used to carry radioactive waste from existing nuclear facilities to final disposal in a national geological disposal facility.

Andrea Leadsom: No assessment has been made of the merits of providing potential compensation to communities positioned along transport routes to and from a geological disposal facility.The UK has more than 50 years’ experience of transporting radioactive waste and materials safely by road, rail and sea. Nuclear fuel is transported routinely from fuel fabrication plants to nuclear power stations, and spent nuclear fuel is transported from power stations to Sellafield for reprocessing and storage.Transport of radioactive materials is subject to strict controls and is robustly and independently regulated in order to protect people, property and the environment. There have been no transport incidents resulting in any significant radiation dose to an individual in connection with the transportation of radioactive waste and materials between UK nuclear facilities.No site for a geological disposal facility has been identified. We are at an early stage in the process and the Government expects formal discussions to begin with interested communities in 2017.

Radioactive Waste

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what discussions she has had with her counterpart in the (a) Welsh Assembly Government and (b) Northern Ireland Executive on participation of the devolved administrations in preparations for receipt of communications from communities putting themselves forward as prospective hosts for a geological disposal facility for radioactive waste activities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Andrea Leadsom: The 2014 Implementing Geological Disposal White Paper states that formal discussions with interested communities will not start until after a programme of work has been undertaken by my Department and the GDF Developer, RWM. As the White Paper makes clear, this includes development of the detail around how communities can engage with the process.Radioactive waste management is a devolved matter. Therefore, the Welsh Government and Northern Ireland Executive each have responsibility for this issue in or as regards Wales and Northern Ireland respectively. These positions were set out clearly in the White Paper, which was issued jointly by the UK Government and the Northern Ireland Executive.

Radioactive Waste

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what resources her Department allocated to the work of the Independent Review Panel organised by the Geological Society to oversee draft guidance for the National Geological Screening being undertaken by Radioactive Waste Management Ltd; and what payment has been made to each panel member in respect of (a) per diem costs, (b) compensation for work time lost due to participation and (c) travel and subsistence costs to date.

Andrea Leadsom: The National Geological Screening Independent Review Panel was established by The Geological Society of London at the request of my Department. It works independently from Government with secretariat support provided by the Science Council, with costs passed to my Department. To date, my Department has allocated £7,000 for the secretariat support and delivery of facilitated public engagement.The Department also meets the reasonable travel and subsistence costs of panel members and considers requests for recompense for loss of earnings in the case of panel members who are independent consultants. To date, members have been reimbursed a total of:· Per diem costs - £0;· Compensation for work time lost due to participation - £0;· Travel and subsistence costs - £1,303.94.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Mrs Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what discussions the Prime Minister has had with his foreign counterparts on reducing greenhouse gas emissions in advance of the 2015 UN Climate Conference in Paris.

Andrea Leadsom: My right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, have both recently engaged with their counterparts in other countries.Alongside other G7 leaders, the Prime Minister called for priority to be given to delivering an ambitious climate package at this year’s UN Conference of the Parties and the communique included strong language on the need for a deal in Paris, on finance and on future ambition. The clear endorsement by G7 leaders has helped provide positive momentum. And the Secretary of State has also met her international counterparts to discuss the key issues for the Conference in Paris both at the Petersburg Dialogue in Berlin, at the G7 Climate Ministers meeting and more recently at European Environment Council.We will continue to take every opportunity to engage with our foreign counterparts to press for an agreement that is ambitious, with regular reviews to further increase ambition and with effective rules to allow us to track progress.

Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what estimate she has made of the number of renewable heat installations installed in (a) Sheffield and (b) the UK as a result of the Renewable Heat Incentive.

Andrea Leadsom: In Sheffield at the end of May 2015 there were 19 installations accredited under the non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), and 107 installations accredited under the domestic RHI.The RHI covers England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has its own separate RHI scheme, introduced by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, for which the Department of Energy and Climate Change does not hold figures.

Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what estimate she has made of the number of renewable heat installations installed as a result of the (a) domestic and (b) non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive since those schemes' inception.

Andrea Leadsom: As of the end of May 2015, there were:a) 34,624 accredited installations under the domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI);b) 10,221 accredited installations under the non-domestic RHI.The Department publishes monthly statistics, for both RHI schemes, which are available at at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/renewable-heat-incentive-statistics.

Wind Power

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what information her Department holds on the number of onshore windfarms (a) in planning and (b) in operation that are wholly or partly community-owned in the UK; and if she will make a statement.

Andrea Leadsom: The Department does not hold this data. DECC’s Community Energy Strategy set out that at least 60MW of community-owned renewable electricity capacity was in operation in 2013.[1] It has been estimated that wind projects accounted for approximately 80% of this capacity.[2]  [1] Community Energy Strategy: Full Report (27 January 2014), DECC: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/275169/20140126Community_Energy_Strategy.pdf and Community Renewable Electricity Generation: Potential Sector Growth to 2020, (27 January 2014), independent modelling for DECC: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/community-renewable-electricity-generation-potential-sector-growth-to-2020 and The Community Renewable Economy: Starting up and spinning out (September 2013) ResPublica: http://www.respublica.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/yqq_Community-Renewables-Economy.pdf [2] Ibid

Renewable Energy

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, with reference to her Department's publication entitled Community Energy Strategy, published on 27 January 2014, what assessment she has made of the (a) financial and (b) non-financial benefits to local communities from (i) onshore wind, (ii) solar photovoltaic and (iii) other renewable generation; and if she will make a statement.

Andrea Leadsom: The Community Energy Strategy Update outlines the progress that has been made towards building the Community Energy evidence base.[1] This includes the progress that has been made towards developing evidence on the benefits of renewable energy projects.  [1]https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/414446/CESU_FINAL.pdf

Nuclear Power

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what steps she plans to take to ensure that technology used for nuclear power meets rigorous safety, security and environmental standards.

Andrea Leadsom: The independent nuclear regulators, the Office for Nuclear Regulation and the Environment Agencies, will continue to ensure robust safety, security and environmental standards at the UK’s nuclear installations.

Energy: Competition

Dr Paul Monaghan: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of the Competition and Markets Authority updated issue statement, Energy market investigation, published on 18 February 2015.

Andrea Leadsom: The Updated Issues Statement set out the initial views of the CMA on possible adverse effects on competition in the energy markets. The forthcoming publication by the CMA of their Provisional Findings is expected to provide greater clarity relating to competition problems in the energy markets and potential solutions. The Department will assess the impact of those provisional findings once the report is published.

Electricity Generation: Competition

Dr Paul Monaghan: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of the findings of the report, Analysis of Generation Profitability by the Competition and Markets Authority, published on 25 February 2015.

Andrea Leadsom: The updated issues statement and accompanying working papers set out the initial views of the CMA of energy markets including on generation profitability. The forthcoming publication by the CMA of their Provisional Findings is expected to provide greater clarity of any problems with the energy markets and potential solutions. The Department will assess the impact of those provisional findings once the report is published.

Solar Power

Mr Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what the average annual power output is for solar panels installed in the UK.

Andrea Leadsom: Holding answer received on 01 July 2015



The power output of solar panels will vary according to the amount of capacity deployed and the load factor at which these operate. At the end of May 2015, 7.3 GW of solar capacity was installed in the UK. From data on solar panels installed under Feed in Tariffs (covering Great Britain only), the average load factor of solar panels in 2013/14 was 10.4 per cent. Over 2011/12 to 2013/14, the average load factor was 10.2 per cent. Source: Solar photovoltaics deployment, available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/solar-photovoltaics-deployment Feed in tariff load factor analysis, Energy Trends December 2014”, available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/energy-trends-december-2014-special-feature-article-feed-in-tariff-load-factor-analysis To note that the capacity and load factor figures given above should not be multiplied to give an annual average power output, since not all would have been installed at the beginning of the year. To note that the capacity and load factor figures given above should not be multiplied to give an annual average power output, since not all would have been installed at the beginning of the year.

Wind Power

Mr Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what the average annual power output is of wind turbines installed in the UK.

Andrea Leadsom: Holding answer received on 01 July 2015



The power output of wind turbines will vary according to the amount of capacity deployed and the load factor at which these operate (which is dependent on wind speeds). At the end of 2014, 12,987 MW of wind turbine capacity was installed in the UK. During 2014, these turbines operated at a load factor of 30.2 per cent. Taken over the last three years, the load factor was 29.8 per cent.Source: Tables 3 and 4 in: Renewable energy in 2014, Energy Trends June 2015, available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/energy-trends-june-2015-special-feature-articles-renewable-energy-in-2014To note, the capacity and load factor figures given above should not be multiplied to give an annual average power output, since not all capacity would have been installed at the beginning of the year.

Energy: Finance

Dr Paul Monaghan: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what information her Department holds on the highest level of EBITDA on energy generation that has occurred in the last three years; and if she will make a statement.

Andrea Leadsom: The department does not hold information pertaining to the EBITDA of energy generation assets other than material already in the public domain.

Sellafield

Sue Hayman: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, whether it is her policy that high hazard areas of work at the Sellafield site remain a priority.

Andrea Leadsom: Holding answer received on 30 June 2015



Yes, the security, safety and remediation of the highest hazards in the civil nuclear estate, notably the legacy ponds and silos at the Sellafield site, remains a priority for the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and for the Government.

Magnox Reactors: Decommissioning

Sue Hayman: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, how long it will take to complete decommissioning of Magnox sites on current annual expenditure.

Andrea Leadsom: Holding answer received on 30 June 2015



Under current plans, all Magnox sites will be rendered passively safe with the reactor structures in safe stores by 2028. Final clearance of the sites is planned from around 2080 onwards. End dates for the Magnox sites are published in the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority’s Strategy document. Annual expenditure at the Magnox sites is forecast to vary significantly over the duration of the decommissioning programme and is expected to decrease as the reactor structures move into safe store.

Nuclear Power Stations: Decommissioning

Sue Hayman: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, if she will raise with the Chancellor of the Exchequer the provision of further research and development tax relief to companies developing innovative technologies to help accelerate the process of decommissioning nuclear sites.

Andrea Leadsom: Holding answer received on 30 June 2015



There is a continuing need for research and development to support the safe, secure and cost effective decommissioning of nuclear installations. Under the Energy Act 2004 the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) is required to promote and, where necessary, carry out research in relation to its primary function of nuclear decommissioning and clean-up. The Government already has in place a number of measures, including R&D tax credits for SMEs and large companies, to support research and development across the economy. Therefore, my rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State has no plans to raise with my rt. hon. Friend Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer the issue of providing further specific further tax relief in this area.

Offshore Industry: Aberdeen

Callum McCaig: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what steps she is taking to support employment in the oil and gas sector in Aberdeen.

Andrea Leadsom: The Government are committed to supporting the oil and gas industry, which is vital to our energy supply, as well as supporting 375,000 jobs across the UK, many of which are in our world-class supply chain. The Government is establishing the Oil and Gas Authority which is already helping industry to drive down costs and improve efficiencies. In addition to this, the Treasury has also introduced a wide-ranging package of measures to encourage further investment. These actions are helping to generate and support jobs in the sector.Despite the immediate challenges created by the decline in the global oil price, it is vital that the industry continues to invest in training and developing people, securing the skills and expertise the industry needs to ensure a positive future. The Oil and Gas Authority will therefore encourage companies to retain apprenticeship, trainee and graduate schemes during this period.Government officials have also been participating in the Energy Jobs Task Force which was formed in early 2015 and will support jobs across the energy sector in Scotland, with an initial focus on oil and gas, given the current challenges being faced in the sector.

Wind Power: Subsidies

Melanie Onn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment she has made of the potential effects of withdrawal of subsidies to onshore wind projects on investor confidence in the offshore wind sector.

Melanie Onn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment she has made of the effect of changes to planning permission for onshore wind projects on investor confidence in the offshore wind sector.

Andrea Leadsom: Holding answer received on 30 June 2015



The Government is putting in place measures to fulfil our commitment to end new subsidies for onshore wind and to change the law so that local people have the final say on onshore windfarm applications.These measures do not apply to offshore wind.The UK is the world leader in offshore wind with significantly more installed capacity than any other country in the world. The Government expects offshore wind installed capacity in the UK to double by the end of the decade, from 5GW today to around 10GW.

Department of Energy and Climate Change: Geology

Mr Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, how many seismologists and geologists are employed by her Department; what advice her Department sought from seismologists and geologists on fracking in Lancashire and East Sussex; what the cost of this advice was; and if she will publish the advice she received from external services.

Andrea Leadsom: Holding answer received on 01 July 2015



The Oil and Gas Authority, which became an Executive Agency of DECC on 1 April 2015, currently employs 11 geoscientists. One of the 11 geological posts is dedicated to UK onshore oil and gas activity.Following seismic tremors experienced in 2011 after shale gas hydraulic fracturing near Blackpool, the well operator carried out geomechanical studies to determine the cause. To assist DECC in evaluating these, DECC asked three experts in the fields of seismology, induced seismicity and hydraulic fracturing to make an independent assessment of the studies. The cost of employing these three experts to undertake this work was £28,000. Results of the analysis, published in 2012, can be found on the Government website via the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/48330/5055-preese-hall-shale-gas-fracturing-review-and-recomm.pdf.

Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme

Mary Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what plans she has to address the effects of the Renewable Heat Incentive on the ground source industry; and what consultation she plans to undertake with that industry on that incentive.

Andrea Leadsom: Holding answer received on 01 July 2015



Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHPs) are supported under both the non-domestic and domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). We have increased the non-domestic tariff for GSHPs to 8.7 pence per kilowatt hour (p/kWh) for tier 1 (i.e. the first 1,314 hours of renewable heat produced per year) and 2.6p/kWh for tier 2 (subsequent heat produced). The level of support for GSHPs under the domestic scheme is 19.1p/kWh.We are aware of the industry’s concerns that the RHI is not supporting as many GSHPs as might be expected; and we are considering what action could be taken. My officials are already discussing this issue with industry, and will continue to do so as options are developed. However, any decisions which involve changes to RHI support will be dependent on the outcome of the Spending Review later this year.

Climate Change

Nick Thomas-Symonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment her Department has made of the potential effect on sea levels of a two-degree increase in global temperatures.

Andrea Leadsom: The Department for Energy and Climate Change has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Energy: Meters

Mr David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what comparative assessment she has made of the costs and benefits of the use of smart meters for metering (a) gas and (b) electricity consumption.

Andrea Leadsom: The Department for Energy and Climate Change has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Department for Energy and Climate Change: Procurement

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what steps her Department is taking to improve its delivery of major projects.

Andrea Leadsom: The Department for Energy and Climate Change has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Sustainable Development

Ms Margaret Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what policy outcomes the Government is seeking on the mitigation of climate change and promotion of low carbon development from the Sustainable Development Goals summit in September 2015 and the UNFCC's summit in November 2015; and if she will make a statement.

Andrea Leadsom: The Department for Energy and Climate Change has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Nuclear Power Stations: Japan

Ms Margaret Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what recent reports she has received on progress of repairs to the nuclear plant in Fukushima, Japan.

Andrea Leadsom: The Department for Energy and Climate Change has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Renewable Energy

Ms Margaret Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what recent meetings she has had with the Head of Microsoft International on renewable energy and technologies; and if she will make a statement.

Andrea Leadsom: The Department for Energy and Climate Change has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Energy: Meters

Mr David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, when her Department plans to publish the Major Projects Authority's assessment of the smart meters programme.

Andrea Leadsom: The Department for Energy and Climate Change has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Energy: Meters

Mr David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment she has made of the effect of the capital costs of the smart meters programme on households' electricity and gas bills in each decile in the household income distribution range.

Andrea Leadsom: The Department for Energy and Climate Change has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Renewables Obligation

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, pursuant to the Answer of 25 June 2015 to Question 3452, if she will estimate the potential additional cost of the Renewables Obligation to the (a) Levy Control Framework and (b) average domestic energy bill if the Renewables Obligation was not closed early to new-build onshore wind.

Andrea Leadsom: The Department for Energy and Climate Change has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Nuclear Power

David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, whether she has taken steps to approve new forms of nuclear (a) build, (b) power plants and (c) technology to facilitate new nuclear build in the UK; and if she will make a statement.

Andrea Leadsom: The Department for Energy and Climate Change has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Cabinet Office

Public Sector: Procurement

Sir Oliver Heald: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to support small business access to public procurement.

Matthew Hancock: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Suffolk Central and North Ipswich on 1 July 2015 to UIN 900668.

Public Appointments: Gender

Angela Crawley: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what his policy is on achieving gender balance on boards of Government departments.

Matthew Hancock: Board membership is determined by the needs and policy priorities of each Department.   The Civil Service Talent Action Plan requires government departments to ensure that organisational boards are diverse and to publish data on the diversity of their Boards.

Department for Education

Special Educational Needs

Mrs Flick Drummond: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate her Department has made of the cost to Ofsted of inspecting local area provision for children with special educational needs and disabilities in the last three years.

Mrs Flick Drummond: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if her Department will ask Ofsted to inspect local authority specialist education services for children with sensory impairments.

Edward Timpson: Ofsted does not currently inspect local area provision for children with special educational needs and disabilities.   It is consulting on a framework for inspecting such provision, in particular, how local areas supporting children and young people with special educational needs and disability, in light of the provisions of the Children and Families Act 2014. Provision for all children and young people with SEN and disabilities irrespective of their type of need would be included within local inspections.

Special Educational Needs: Hearing Impairment

Mrs Flick Drummond: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what information her Department holds on the effectiveness of Teachers of the Deaf and the quality of support they provide to deaf children and their families.

Edward Timpson: The Department for Education does not hold this information.   Ofsted, through its inspection of individual schools, considers the extent to which education provided meets the needs of disabled pupils and those with special educational needs. Inspectors will consider the quality of teaching provided to improve learning for pupils, including those with hearing impairments.   Teachers of classes of children with sensory impairments must hold a relevant mandatory post-graduate qualification, currently provided by six approved training providers.

Children: Day Care

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what her policy in on providing support for childcare costs incurred from providers not registered with Ofsted.

Mr Sam Gyimah: The Department for Education provides support with the costs of childcare through the early education entitlement for two-, three- and four-year-olds, delivered by Ofsted registered providers. This support is worth around £3 billion a year.   The government only funds registered providers so that minimum safeguards and standards, which are set out in regulations, are assured and children kept secure and safe from harm. Providers who deliver the early education entitlement are registered with Ofsted on the Early Years Register and are subject to a rigorous registration process. They are also subject to inspection that covers quality assessment as well as compliance with basic standards.

Primary Education: Standards

Liz McInnes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many primary schools have gone from an inadequate to a good Ofsted rating in four years since 2005; and what steps her Department takes to recognise the achievements of headteachers, teachers and governors.

Nick Gibb: Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Sir Michael Wilshaw, will write to the hon. Member regarding the number of primary schools that have gone from an inadequate to a good Ofsted rating in four years since 2005. A copy of his reply will be placed in the libraries of the House. Information regarding this can also be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/monthly-management-information-ofsteds-school-inspections-outcomes   The National College for Teaching & Leadership (NCTL) recognises the achievements of head teachers, teachers and governors who raise standards in their own and other schools, by designating them as system leaders. Over a thousand head teachers have so far been designated as National Leaders of Education (NLEs) with the schools they lead designated as National Support Schools. Furthermore, over 6000 outstanding teachers, working within teaching school alliances, have been designated as Specialist Leaders of Education (SLEs).  Whenever a school achieves an outstanding Ofsted grading the Secretary of State conveys her congratulations by writing to the school concerned. The department also encourages organisations and individuals to put forward teachers and governors for National Honours.

Special Educational Needs

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure that (a) dyslexia and (b) other learning disabilities are tested for at an early age, and that the relevant support is given to make sure the child does not fall academically behind their peers.

Edward Timpson: All early years providers are required to have arrangements in place to identify and support children with special educational needs (SEN) or disabilities, and to promote equality of opportunity for children in their care as set out in the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework. Early years providers and educational settings should have arrangements in place that include assessment of SEN as part of the setting’s overall process for monitoring and assessing children.   All schools must use their best endeavours to make sure that children with SEN get the support they need. When deciding on the provision to be made for a particular child or young person with SEN or a disability, schools and local authorities must refer to the SEND Code of Practice. Teachers, and others working in schools, will work closely with their local Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) when supporting children with SEN and disabilities, including those with dyslexia. Support and intervention should be provided to meet the outcomes identified for each pupil, and the quality of teaching for SEN pupils and the progress they make should be embedded in schools’ performance management arrangements.   Where a child’s special educational needs cannot be met by their school the local authority can carry out an Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment, and where necessary issue a EHC plan to provide additional support.   The department is working with dyslexia organisations to facilitate better support for children with dyslexia, including funding of £204,000 in 2015/16 to the Dyslexia - Specific Learning Difficulties Trust to provide expert advice, information and training on literacy difficulties, speech and language difficulties and dyslexia to schools and parents. This includes training teachers to deliver quality teaching and Special Educational Needs (SEN) support for pupils with dyslexia.   The department has also given a grant of £550,000 in 2015/16 to the British Dyslexia Association to fund a project to address issues around early identification and effective provision. The project will develop a certification framework which provides a graduated route towards a whole school policy for supporting children with literacy difficulties.   Furthermore, the department has placed phonics at the heart of early reading, since a large body of research evidence concludes that phonics the most effective way of teaching literacy for all children, including those with dyslexia and specific learning difficulties. The phonics screening check, administered at the end of year one, identifies children’s decoding ability, so that those who need further help can be identified and supported by the school.

Homelessness: Young People

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will bring forward legislative proposals preventing people aged under 18 years old from being categorised as intentionally homeless.

Edward Timpson: Joint guidance from the Department of Education and the Department of Communities and Local Government reminds Housing Services that applicants cannot be considered to have become homeless intentionally because of failing to take up an offer of accommodation. Homelessness is only capable of being ‘intentional’ where the applicant has ceased to occupy accommodation that it would have been reasonable for him or her to continue to occupy. The guidance sets out how Children’s Services should follow a clear and comprehensive assessment of the child’s needs to determine whether they are homeless and therefore in need of accommodation. The statutory guidance on the provision of accommodation of 16/17 year olds who may be homeless or require accommodation can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/8260/Provision_20of_20accommodation.pdf   The department has invested £500 million in homelessness services since 2010, including working with the voluntary sector to develop the ‘Youth Accommodation Pathway’ service model, designed to support young people to remain in the family home, or offer tailored support options for those who cannot. This includes supported accommodation as a starting point for 16 & 17 year olds. The pathway model has become common currency amongst local authorities and their partners and over half of English authorities now have a pathway in place.   The government has no immediate plans to legislate in this area.

Children: Obesity

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking in schools to tackle childhood obesity.

Mr Sam Gyimah: This government has made a manifesto commitment to tackle childhood obesity. Many of the Department for Education’s polices make a direct contribution to tackling obesity in school age children. The School Food Plan was published in 2013 to encourage and promote a positive healthy food culture in schools. New food standards were introduced earlier this year and universal infant free school meals have been implemented so that we now have an average of 85% of children in reception, Year 1 and Year 2 eating a healthy and nutritious lunch. Pupils in primary and secondary schools are taught about the importance of leading healthy and active lives, including diet, nutrition and exercise through the new national curriculum. Food and nutrition education is now compulsory from Key Stage 1 to 3 – this is the first time it has been compulsory in secondary schools. Over £300 million of ring-fenced funding has been allocated to primary schools through the primary PE and sport premium since 2013 to help pupils develop healthy lifestyles.  In addition, the department is actively engaged in work across government to develop a national obesity framework by the end of this year.

Educational Psychology

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 4 June 2015 to Question 333, what steps (a) her Department and (b) Ofsted plans to take to monitor the effect on children of there being no educational psychologists employed by the local authority in whose area their school is located.

Edward Timpson: The Department for Education takes the views of parents, carers, children and young people on educational psychology services seriously. There has been an active parent representative from the Learning Trust on its Educational Psychology Training National Steering Group since 2011. Furthermore, as part of the joint review of clinical and educational psychology training arrangements with the Department of Health, the department is planning wider consultation with children and young people (0-25 years) on psychological services.   It is a matter for Ofsted if they plan to monitor the effect on children of there being no educational psychologists employed by the local authority in whose area their school is located. I have asked Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Sir Michael Wilshaw, to write to the honorable Member with the information requested. A copy of his reply will be placed in the House of Commons library.

Headteachers: Ethnic Groups

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of (a) head teachers and (b) deputy head teachers are Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic.

Nick Gibb: This information is publicly available in Table 5 of the School Workforce in England Statistical First Release, November 2014 at the following weblink: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/announcements/school-workforce-in-england-november-2014

Schools: Meat

Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much (a) lamb, (b) beef, (c) pork and (d) poultry meat is purchased annually by schools and colleges for consumption; and what proportion of such meat is British in origin.

Mr Sam Gyimah: Schools and colleges are responsible for their meals services and how and where they choose to buy their produce. The Department for Education does not collect this information.

Department for Culture Media and Sport

Tourism: Greater London

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the value to the tourist economy of military, ceremonial and pageantry activities in London; and if he will make a statement.

Tracey Crouch: My Department has not made an assessment of the value to the tourist economy of military, ceremonial and pageantry activities in London. However, VisitBritain estimates that visitors drawn here by the appeal of our culture and heritage spend over £6.8 billion annually (out of a total overseas visitor spend of £21.8 billion in 2014). Around £500 million of that figure can be attributed to attractions and events with a connection to Britain’s royal heritage.

Television: Disability

Mr Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions he has held with television broadcasters on improving services for people with sensory loss.

Mr Edward Vaizey: The UK is a world leader in the extent and the quality of TV access services, which include subtitles, audio description and signing. UK broadcasters and content providers are committed to meeting the needs of disabled people and want to ensure that this remains the case in the future. Sections 303 to 305 of the Communications Act 2003 require Ofcom to draw up a Code which provides guidance as to the extent to which television services should provide access services. Ofcom monitors the provision of access services and publishes reports reflecting licensees’ performance against the target. Ofcom has the power to take action against broadcasters who fail to meet their target.

Broadcasting: Internet

Mr Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the quality of access to on demand television content for people with sensory loss.

Mr Edward Vaizey: The Government is committed to ensure the quality of the access continues to improve. We have been monitoring progress of the provision of access services for Video on Demand (VoD) content since 2013 through engagement with the Authority for Television on Demand (ATVOD), platform operators and content providers. As part of our continuing assessment of access to such services for VoD content, we will use information from a variety of sources and engagement with relevant parties to develop a target that we would expect to see reached by mid-2016.

Tickets: Sales

Stephen McPartland: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will announce a timetable for the Independent Review into the secondary ticketing market.

Tracey Crouch: The Government will be appointing an independent chair for the review, and will make an announcement on this as soon as possible. It will be the responsibility of the chair to set out the timetable for conducting the review, which is due to report back to government by May 2016.

Broadcasting: Internet

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is taking to improve the provision of access services for on-demand content.

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is taking to improve the provision of access services for on-demand content.

Mr Edward Vaizey: The Government remains committed to seeing an improvement in the provision of access services for video-on-demand (VoD) services. We have been monitoring progress of the provision of access services for VoD content since 2013 through engagement with the Authority for Television On Demand (ATVOD), platform operators and content providers. If ATVOD's 2015 annual survey of VoD services indicates that significant progress has not been made then, as stated in the Connectivity, Content and Consumers Paper (July 2013), we will consider legislation in 2016.

FIFA

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the article written for the Huffington Post blog on 30 May 2015 by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Sport, Tourism and Heritage, if he will publish the letters she sent to her EU counterparts on FIFA.

Tracey Crouch: I have placed a copy of the letter in the House Library.

Sports: Legislation

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether he plans to introduce a Major Events Bill in this Parliament.

Mr Edward Vaizey: Government has no plans for a Major Events Bill in this Parliament.

Culture: Job Creation

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the terms of reference of the Earn or Learn implementation taskforce, how many of the two million new jobs and three million new apprenticeships he plans will be created in the cultural and creative sector.

Mr Edward Vaizey: My Department has not set a specific target for the number of apprenticeships and jobs to be created in the cultural and creative sector. We will however continue to work with our partners, such as the Department for Education, Arts Council England and the National Skills Academy to deliver programmes like the Creative Employment Programme. This scheme sets out to provide unemployed people aged 16-24 (graduate and non-graduate) with paid opportunities to gain access to on-the-job training, skills and experience in the arts and cultural sector.

Members: Correspondence

Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 14 May 2015 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Ms P Hamilton.

Mr Edward Vaizey: The Department did not receive the original letter. A duplicate has now been received and will be replied to in due course.

Broadband: Charnwood

Edward Argar: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what plans his Department has to ensure roll-out of superfast broadband to (a) Seagrave and (b) Thrussington in Charnwood.

Mr Edward Vaizey: The Government has allocated £7.46 million to the Leicestershire broadband project. 31,388 homes and businesses had been given access superfast broadband by 31 March 2015 as a result of the project. Superfast broadband will become available to parts of the Seagrave area from late 2016 onwards. The Thrussington area is at planning and survey stage. Superfast broadband is expected in parts of the area by the end of December 2015. More details can be found on the Superfast Leicestershire website: http://www.superfastleicestershire.org.uk/when-and-where/

Broadcasting: Internet

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will review the effectiveness of existing legislation on subtitles and audio description for on-demand television.

Mr Edward Vaizey: The Government remains committed to seeing an improvement in the provision of access services for video-on-demand (VoD) services. We have been monitoring progress of the provision of access services for VoD content since 2013 through engagement with the Authority for Television On Demand (ATVOD), platform operators and content providers. If ATVOD's 2015 annual survey of VoD services indicates that significant progress has not been made then, as stated in the Connectivity, Content and Consumers Paper (July 2013), we will consider legislation in 2016.

Broadcasting: Internet

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions he has had with television representatives on the setting of targets on the provision of subtitles for on-demand television services.

Mr Edward Vaizey: We have been monitoring progress of the provision of access services for Video on Demand (VoD) content since 2013 through engagement with the Authority for Television on Demand (ATVOD), platform operators and content providers. As part of our continuing assessment of access to such services for VoD content, we will use information from a variety of sources and engagement with relevant parties to develop a target that we would expect to see reached by mid-2016.

Cycling

Mr Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate his Department has made of the effect to a local economy of hosting the Tour of Britain.

Mr Edward Vaizey: I have made no assessment to date. It is for the relevant local bodies to assess the impact that the individual stages of the Tour of Britain have had on local economies.

Department for Culture, Media and Sport: Preston

Mr Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what plans (a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department have to visit (i) the Guild Wheel, (ii) Preston North End Football Club, (iii) the Harris Museum and Art Gallery and (iv) other sites in Preston in an official capacity in the next year.

Mr Edward Vaizey: A regional visit plan has not been finalised. However, at this time there are no current plans for myself, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Sport, Tourism and Heritage or the Secretary of State to visit Preston.

Sports: Females

Mr Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, which women's (a) rugby, (b) cricket and (c) football matches (i) he and (ii) Ministers of his Department have attended in an official capacity since taking office.

Mr Edward Vaizey: Since the new Government has been formed, both I, the Minister of State for Culture and the Digital Economy, and the Secretary of State have yet to attend any women’s rugby, cricket and football matches in an official capacity. The Minister for Sport and Tourism has attended the Kent Girls and Ladies League Final and she is scheduled to attend the Ladies Ashes in August.

Members: Correspondence

Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, when the Minister of State for Culture and the Digital Economy plans to respond to the letter from the hon. Member for Ashfield of 1 June 2015 on superfast broadband in Lilley Close, Selston, Nottinghamshire.

Mr Edward Vaizey: A reply has been sent.

Department of Health

Cancer: Health Education

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent conversations he has had with Health Ministers in the devolved administrations to improve awareness of (a) pancreatic cancer and (b) other types of cancer across the UK; and if he will make a statement.

Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to ensure earlier diagnosis of pancreatic cancer; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to improve public awareness of pancreatic cancer.

Jane Ellison: Early diagnosis of cancer including for those with pancreatic cancer is a major priority for this Government in helping us to improve cancer survival. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence published an updated guideline “Suspected cancer: recognition and referral” on 23 June 2015. The guideline reflects latest evidence and will continue to support general practitioners to identify patients, including those with symptoms of suspected pancreatic cancer, and urgently refer them as appropriate.   In England, to support early diagnosis of cancer, we have invested over £22 million in Be Clear on Cancer campaigns between 2010-11 and 2014-15, to raise awareness of various cancer types and encourage people with relevant cancer symptoms to visit their doctor promptly. Public Health England working with the Department, NHS England and other partners will continue to keep these campaigns under review to see and work with relevant experts to see what might be done to tackle other cancers.   Research and evidence of best practice is shared widely across the United Kingdom. However, as health is a devolved matter Ministers do not routinely discuss health issues with their counterparts.   More generally, NHS England is working jointly with Cancer Research UK and Macmillan Cancer Support to test seven new approaches to identifying cancer more quickly. The aim is to evaluate a number of initiatives across more than 60 sites around the country to collect evidence about what makes the most difference to patients.   In January 2015, NHS England announced an independent Cancer Taskforce to develop a five-year strategy for England which will recommend improvements across the cancer pathway, including awareness and early diagnosis. The strategy will be published in the summer.

Blood: Contamination

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he intends to announce the compensation arrangements for those affected by contaminated blood supplied by the NHS.

Ms Margaret Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of financial support mechanisms for people affected by contaminated blood.

Ms Margaret Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what progress he has made on providing compensation for people with haemophilia who were infected with contaminated blood during the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Ellison: We intend to update the House on our intention to consult on reforming the current system of ex-gratia financial support for people infected with, or affected by, HIV and/or hepatitis C as a result of treatment with National Health Service supplied blood or blood products prior to September 1991. Work on this is ongoing.

NHS: Meat

Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much (a) lamb, (b) beef, (c) pork and (d) poultry meat is purchased annually by the NHS for consumption; and what proportion of such meat is British in origin.

George Freeman: Information on the amount and provenance of all meat purchased by the National Health Service is not held centrally by the Department. However, information is held for fresh meat and poultry purchased through NHS Supply Chain, under national framework agreements.   Sales of fresh meat and poultry through NHS Supply Chain are estimated as being in the region of 40% of the total for the NHS in England.   Purchases of fresh meat in the four categories, as requested, are as follows: Value of Purchase £ million(July 2013 to June 2014)Percentage that is British in OriginALamb1.1660%BBeef3.2392%CPork1.4157%DPoultry2.4968%   The information provided relates to sales over the period from July 2013 to June 2014. There have been no significant changes in sourcing over the past 12 months and therefore these proportions will be broadly reflective of the current situation.

Cancer: Research

Stuart Andrew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the level of research funding into pancreatic cancer in each of the last five years; how that figure compares to funding for research on other cancer types; and if he will make a statement.

Stuart Andrew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to increase the quality and quantity of research into pancreatic cancer.

Nick Thomas-Symonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions he has had with Health Ministers in the devolved administrations on increasing research into pancreatic cancer across the UK.

George Freeman: My Rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health has had no such discussions.   Expenditure by the Department’s National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) on cancer research is shown in the following table.   £ million 2010/112011/122012/132013/14100.9104.1133.2129.9   A figure for 2014/15 is not yet available. Data is not available for total NIHR research spend on specific cancer sites as site-specific data cannot be disaggregated from total expenditure through NIHR research infrastructure funding streams.   The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including pancreatic cancer. These applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money and scientific quality.   The NIHR has recently awarded £290,986 to University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust for a phase II trial of endoscopic ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation of cystic tumours of the pancreas.   The NIHR Research Design Service is available to help prospective applicants, including applicants in pancreatic cancer research, develop and design high-quality proposals for submission to NIHR itself and also to other national, peer-reviewed funding competitions for applied health or social care research. The service provides expert advice to researchers on all aspects of preparing grant applications in these fields, including advice on research methodology, clinical trials, patient involvement, and ethics and governance.

Cancer: Diagnosis

Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what comparative assessment he has made of the average number of times (a) pancreatic and (b) other cancer patients visited their GP for diagnosis before being referred to hospital; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Ellison: Data on average number of visits to general practitioners (GPs) before referral to a specialist is not centrally collected. However, the most recent national Cancer Patient Experience Survey published by NHS England in September 2014 showed that, of those cancer patients who saw their GP before going to hospital, 75% reported seeing their GP once or twice before they were referred to a specialist. Further analysis of the survey showed that 43% of pancreatic cancer patients had to visit their GP three or more times before being referred to a specialist, compared to 25% of all cancers.   NHS England is working jointly with Cancer Research UK and Macmillan Cancer Support to test seven new approaches to identifying cancer more quickly. The aim is to evaluate a number of initiatives across more than 60 sites around the country to collect evidence about what makes the most difference to patients.   The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence published an updated guideline “Suspected cancer: recognition and referral” on 23 June 2015. The guideline reflects latest evidence and will continue to support GPs to identify patients, including those with symptoms of suspected pancreatic cancer, and urgently refer them as appropriate.   In January 2015, NHS England announced an independent Cancer Taskforce to develop a five-year strategy for England which will recommend improvements across the cancer pathway, including awareness and early diagnosis. The strategy will be published in the summer.

Pancreatic Cancer: Mortality Rates

Nick Thomas-Symonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what comparative assessment he has made of variation in the survival rates of pancreatic cancer patients living in (a) the UK, (b) Europe and (c) the rest of the world; and if he will make a statement.

Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what comparative assessment he has made of variations in (a) one, (b) five and (c) 10-year survival rates for pancreatic cancer in each (i) region and (ii) clinical commissioning group; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Ellison: There are some variations in survival rates for pancreatic cancer patients between different countries and different parts of the United Kingdom. We have looked at the international comparisons from EUROCARE 5 – the study of survival and care of cancer patients based on European Cancer Registries - but it can be difficult to interpret survival comparisons for cancers with poor prognosis. Although this only covers patients diagnosed up to 2007, the key issue is that survival rates for pancreatic cancer remain poor – and a challenge to be tackled – across the world.   We await the final report of the independent Cancer Taskforce, which will make recommendations across the whole cancer care pathway.

Blood: Contamination

Ms Margaret Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what progress his Department has made on licencing the Harvoni form of ledipasvir-sofosbuvir for people who have been contaminated by blood products; and if he will make a statement.

George Freeman: Harvoni (ledipasvir-sofosbuvir) has been authorised by the European Commission and a Marketing Authorisation was issued on 17 November 2014 for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in adults.   The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence is currently developing technology appraisal guidance for the National Health Service on the clinical and cost-effectiveness of Harvoni (ledipasvir-sofosbuvir) in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C and expects to publish its final guidance later this year.

Scoliosis: Health Services

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate his Department has made of the number of patients with scoliosis that have received NHS treatment in each of the last five years.

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate his Department has made of the average waiting time for scoliosis treatment in the NHS; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what review his Department has conducted into the adequacy of NHS treatment options for patients with scoliosis; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what representations he has received from (a) specialist bodies and (b) charities on treatment options for scoliosis on the NHS; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment his Department has made of the efficacy of the process for booking scoliosis clinic appointments; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Ellison: The Department has made no estimate of the total number of patients with scoliosis that have received National Health Service treatment in each of the last five years or the average time that was waited.   Scoliosis is the abnormal curvature of the spine to the sides. The condition is not considered to be a disease and patients do not always require treatment. However, it is important that those patients whose curvature is more pronounced are able to access the right treatment. For children this might mean for being fitted with back brace or cast to correct the spine. Whilst some adults may be suitable for treatment with a brace, they are more commonly managed with pain relief, exercise and lifestyle advice. Both children and adults may also be considered for spinal surgery, subject to appropriate assessment.   NHS England commissions specialised complex spinal surgery nationally. The service specification clearly defines what NHS England expects to be in place for providers to offer evidence-based, safe and effective services. It supports equity of access to a nationally consistent, high quality service for patients needing complex spinal surgery wherever they live. The specification can be found the following link:   www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/d14-comp-spinal-surg.pdf   In addition, in June 2014 the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence published guidance on the Magnetic Expansion Control System, a new intervention for children with the scoliosis., The guidance stated that this new treatment ‘should be considered for children aged 2 and over with scoliosis, who need surgery to correct their curved spine’. Full guidance can be found at that following link:   http://guidance.nice.org.uk/MTG18/Guidance/pdf/English  The Ministers of the Department have received no representations from specialist bodies or charities on treatment options for scoliosis on the NHS and have made no specific assessment of the efficacy of the process for booking scoliosis clinic appointments.

Veterans: Visual Impairment

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will introduce an option for people to identify themselves as a veteran on the Certificate of Vision Impairment.

Ben Gummer: The Department currently has no plans to revise the Certificate of Vision Impairment. However, following discussions with the Royal National Institute of Blind People, Blind Veterans UK, NHS England, NHS optometry leads and the Health and Social Care Information Centre other options for identifying visually impaired veterans are being explored.

Asthma: Drugs

Ms Margaret Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of prescribing medicines for asthma patients; and if he will make a statement.

George Freeman: We have made no such assessment. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is responsible for providing guidance to the National Health Service on the clinical and cost effectiveness of selected drugs and indications through its technology appraisal programme. NICE has published several pieces of technology appraisal guidance covering a number of different technologies for use in the treatment of adults and children with asthma. Further information is available on NICE’s website at:   www.nice.org.uk/guidance/conditions-and-diseases/respiratory-conditions/asthma

Royal Sussex County Hospital

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether the full business case for the teaching, trauma and tertiary care at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton has been submitted to (a) the NHS Trust Development Authority, (b) his Department and (c) HM Treasury.

Alistair Burt: The full business case for the ‘Teaching, Trauma and Tertiary care’ (‘3Ts’) redevelopment at the Royal Sussex County Hospital has been submitted to the NHS Trust Development Authority for approval. The business case has also been shared with the Department and HM Treasury.

Women and Equalities

UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women: Membership

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, when the UK last nominated a member of the expert committee of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women; and for what reason she has not made a nomination in relation to forthcoming vacancies.

Caroline Dinenage: The UK government has not put forward a candidate for election to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women since signing the Convention in 1981. Whilst nominating a candidate has been considered, a variety of reasons such as the timing of the election and the resources required from across Government have meant that we have not yet done so.  The UK strongly supports the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination (CEDAW) against Women and it is committed to advancing women’s rights. We are fully committed to the CEDAW process, including submitting reports and participating in the oral examination, and are fully engaged with the UN and the Committee. UK nationals are well represented on other UN treaty monitoring bodies, such as the Human Rights Committee and the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Forced Marriage and Female Genital Mutilation

James Berry: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps the Government is taking to tackle (a) forced marriage and (b) female genital mutilation.

Karen Bradley: The Girl Summit, hosted by the Prime Minister and UNICEF in July 2014, underlined the United Kingdom’s leadership in stamping out forced marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM).We made forced marriage a criminal offence and the first conviction was secured last month. We also introduced a package of new measures to tackle FGM through the Serious Crime Act 2015 including victim anonymity, mandatory reporting of FGM, a new offence of parental liability and the introduction of FGM protection orders.The Government recognises that legislation alone is not enough to tackle FGM and forced marriage, and our specialist FGM and Forced Marriage Units lead and deliver wide-ranging prevention and awareness-raising work.